Barr's Buffon. Buffon's Natural history, containing a theory of the earth, a general history of man, of the brute creation, and of vegetables, minerals, &c. From the French. With notes by the translator. In ten volumes. ..

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BODLEIAN LIBRARY

The gift of

Miss Emma F. I. Dunston

_:yitizedbyL.OOgle

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Digitized by VjOOQ IC

Digitized by VjOOQ IC

Digitized by VjOOQ IC

Digitized by VjOOQ IC

^a/rrd c^uffon.

BiifFon's Natural Hiftory.

CONTAININO

4 THEQRr OF THE EARTHy
HISTORY OF MAN, ^

^ OP THl

BRufE CREATION,

AND OP

VEGETABLES, MINER ALS, {^Tr,

FROM THE FRENCH.

With Notes by the TRANSLATOR.

IN TEN VOLUMES.
VOL. V.

LONDON
PRINTED BY J. S, BARRf
BRIDGES-STREET, COV£NT-GARDEN»
MOCCXCZX*

. :^- ■

Digitized by VjOOQ IC

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Digitized by VjOOQ IC

Si

CONTENTS

.OF THB

FIFTH- VOLUMJE,

Hiftory of the Brute Creation.
Chap, L Of ihe Nature of Animals

Page*
• 1

Chap. IL Of Domejiic Animals -

- 88

i:he Horfe - -

- 93

The Afs ^

- 179

TheO>c -. -

206

The Sheep

- 243

The Goat -

- 264

The Swiney the Hog of Siam^

and the Wild Boar - 278
The Dog ^ - - - 302

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DireffitHsftr-Fhicitig the Plates.

Page 9J Fig. iS^-J^.
218 Fig. 20, 21.
243 Fig. 22, 23.
263 Fig. fch 25.
272 Fig. 26, 27.
290 Fig..28, 29.
320 Fig. 30, 31.
3^1 Fig. 32, 13, 34, 35. •
322: Fig. 36, 37, 38, 39, 4a, 4r.

323 FJg- 42T 43-

333 Fig- 44i 45.

334 Fig- 46, 47-

335 Fig. 48, 49-

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buffon's

NATUKAL HISTORY.

HISrORT OF THE BRUTE CREATION.

CHAPTER I.

or THE NATURE OP ANIMALS.

AS all our knowledge turns upon the re-
lations by which one objeft differs from :
another, if there exified no. brute animsjs .
the nature of the human being would be ftill :
more incomprehenfible. Having confidered.
man in himfelf, ought we not to derive every
affiftance^by comparing him with the other ,
parts of the atumal creation ? We will proceed .
VOL. v. -. B then

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a buffon's

then to examine the nature of animals, to
compare their /jr^anization, to ftudy their
general economy/dQ-eiylo^Jice particular
applications, to mark refemblances, to reconcile

the djffe^^e^ rfl fc 9''}'f^W ""^
thole combmations, to diftrnguflh^^ejithittpal
eiFe£ts of the living mechanifm, and to make a
farfhpr rrp^(yp^|| 'yi that impor tant knowle dge of
which mgn is the objedl ?

We will begin by reducing within its pro-
per Jjmits a fubjeS which, at firft view, appears
to *t)V Immerile/' * The* prbjfie Ates "^ of matter
which animals pofTefs in ^ common with inani-
maite bMflgS CO t lTe W winMuurprLleht Lui t^
jfideration, and which we have already fully
treated upon. *^6t ihh %,fhe^ r^afon we Ihall
rejeft feh iflH^^ties as^ar£,fpupd^eq.ually to
belong to the vegetable and to the animal. As

in the clafs of anifiiriB"^»PFC9fftprehend a num-
ber of animated beings, whofe organization
is-tigMy diilinreiiti fi;)on»<bftU>fr<(iaf^^$:well A
fi»m*more pef&A' ammal^. to A/ifefliadlw^^
tht cdiifideratibH .of- them^ 'Xnixdxilinfi.diU^.
H^vts t6 thofe ^mmab which have efvidend|rr:tbd
gfreatcft affitii^ td ai. ..> .".. -rcr:; st rr

VButaS'thenAttiifr* <rf-niAQ is fuperior to that
cFanimdS^ ffii'of thatfi^riorlty wttih^Addy
td cTemoaftrdt^t^ Cs^^^kk^ igfkiJitU:wB.naj i

/ • •• - ii diftiagui&/

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a)qfn<|Is. ; ,; ■,> -r, ,< :;'.„ ^y[x)d slsmincni n:. ni «

<fefeEif tiflii jififsgSBfts, juorijiw ttifi ,x'l^i""5n

^eisrtrij'.; 4sfejh«^feiraie''^fi41l(jMffrHfll§s>fiCi

as well.whJiH |&qjaia«l^B!s*^#fl8eB,^^i^^, ^
is '^iwajsfit .*94t » v^rf%e "fefttef^y -Pece^

jflterJtHptionj tji? Q^eriifi H M ff'i^ffi U ^^^k
a^ but by intervals. ;. -.fi

. The ,$rft 4iyifi9n, .jC^F ,^^ ,Miii)?l ^i;pnfpny
afiRWr? general apd KeV,jr(Ju^d.„i^.Jjn»PWj
iKfiexi .afleq>, is more ep;^ jjp^^jjfpfliune^ thajj
B 2 ' when

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4 BUrF0N*8

when awake and in motion. This difFerence
is eflendal, and not a fimple change of fituatlon
as in an inanimate body, which may be equally
and indifierendy at reft or in motion ; for in
cither of thefe ftates it would perpetually re-
main, unlefs conftrained to quit it by fome
external power or refiftance. By its own
powers the animal changes its condition ; and
naturally, and without conftraint, it pafTes
from repofe to aAion, and from adion tore-
pofe. The period for awaking returns as
necelTarily as that for fleep, and both arrive
independent of any foreign caufe ; fince in
either ftate the animal cannot exift but fori
certain time, and an uninterrupted continuity
of either would be equally fatal to life.

In the animal economy, therefore, we
may diftinguifh two parts ; the one afts per-
petually without interruption, and the ether
afts only by intervals. The aftion of the
heart and lungs in animals that breathe, and
of the heart in the foetus, fecm to conftitute
the former, as does the adion of the fenfcs, and
.and the movements of the members of the
latter.

If we imagine beings endowed by nature
with on|[y the firft part of this animal econo-
my, ihotjgh deprived of^enfe and progreffive

motion

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KATUKatanSmORY. ^

fl«t|xngiai»Q^,-i(iin4pib3^iipriI,fiei09ry .tirgaio
nicutt D bQUigvi:fkftttilteIaBfin^lifer:«n4^cfin9tiltei

^ateji 9^P^i^n#jl.;lbjrotbtel«»rfifiWi^^^

air a .ba^i m -t&eixafiitBiId)fi«QQiS^y. .i*jb (Np
tinually^Land cbeinftfit israrfouhofttta ifle^ ^hftA

the contrary, that which a lufiflgu^wttdi^rift
«ifp^eaDesr 1^ iirijchBx^bmjE) foii»b«k>nl of

"iifefi ;: 1 . 3nf!t : iv/ n.-i'rr n lo ^bod Siij ! ":; i •• • .>
:^;A»i$igdAlWyjtte<«a4r|)ait)JwWdh a&rfiPfV

*> *fibofiittttotlH)forfi)^Dgs tQ!«r*cb::jw^[ig#9

ttelb-nai Miaian$idt2Wo^4rberl^))l iv^di

^tei3ifi»Ai& «i^an(!ridliQb <i£i«ni|E)ii(^j|9^ i«gf
ai B 3 tables

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6 bvffom's

tables may be, the inferences wiH be the fame.
They each receive nourifliment, grow, expand,
have external motions, and a vegetating life.
But of progreffive motion, action, and fenti-
ment, they will be equally deftkute; nor be
endowed with any interior or apparent cha*
ra£):er, by which animal life may be difttn-
guifbed. . Invefting however, this internal
part with fenfes, and members, animal life
will (M-efently manifeft itfdf $ and the more
this cover fhall contain of fenfe and members,
the more will the animal life be pcrfcS:, It
is by this inveftment that animals differ from
each other. The internal part belongs, with-
out exception, to all animals ; and is nearly the
fame in all which ' have flefli and blood, l^he
external cover, however, is widely different ;
and, it is at its extremities that the greateft
differences fubiifl:.

In order to ducidate this argun^ient, let us
compare the body of a man with that of a horfe
•or an ox. In each the heart Mid lungs, or the
organs of circulation, and of refpiration, are
iKsarly the 6me j but the external cover is
highly diffet^e^, The materials of the animal
•body, tim^ "th<i parts are iimiliar to thoie
of the f:t»ma% vary greatly as to number, fize^
-and pofitioni and thereby the diffimilitudei

in

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NATURAL HISTORY. J

in their refpeftlve forms are rendered very
wide. Beiides we (hall fiiid that the greated
differences are at the extremities ; for in di-
viding the body into three principal parts^ the
trunk, the head, and the members ; we find>
that in the head and members, which are the
extremities of the body, confifts the moft ma-
terial difference between man and other ani-
mals. We difcover, that the greateft diffe-
rence in the trunk is at the two extremities ;
fince in men there are calviclcs at the upper
extremity, which in animals are wanting ; and
the under extremity of animals is terminated
by a tail, confifting of a certain number of ex-
terlor vertebrae, which the human body is ivith-
out. The inferior extremity of the head, alfo,
as the jaw-bones, and the upper extremity, as
the bones of the forehead, differ prodigioufly in
man and beaft. Finally by comparing the mem-
bers of a man, with thofe of other animals, we
plainly perceive it is at the extremities they
differ ixioft, as no two things bear left refem-
blance to each other, than the human hand with
the foot of a horle, or an ox.

Taking Ae heart then for the centre of the
animal machine, We find in that and other ad-
jacent parts, there is. a perfeft refemblance be-
tween man and olher animals^ but the more

we

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we ren*ye; from oij^isrr^f^r^v ]^. >npiT *efj
become diffcr^n^i :»rtf tt^l*i:il> lllt'l^i^Otrc Ut.-
fclf there: is £oi*iti'«^ 4iffer!«n«,:jdjten'dife«tini
iD4l is: : tffifiAitely more diftaoti frCwarj int»i^.«ii&4lf
pftfffjTe^ vnpthi^T-illr Qonw<i«a ^tfei Adfe^iini-r*

tl<t$' pruHjipal: pvtrof thje ^ntuwiT cc^ctmyi)
Lifted; of heart aiid^j|ing§, thc^y bSAffe pktstr
Vhi<?bf i>eip& fubfervientt^o Ah^iyk»\Juf^^ns^i
hskvefeeenicwfilfec^^ a$ analogous tQ.rihfifetvift
<tera,^but,whicbiiairedity widely \4ip5br ffom?
ijlitfimsibotb in {ttM&iirc andxe^UIjiicf ii<Skm9 amik
ihercfoneiMrqfinfoafit to the k^.itegcoe rfii&rewtf
fr/tovraanand o^^r ^nimAk, v-, j$^ ijaMw^ 4iffe-5
j|;eii^c ^n the centrical 4)aytj ia : rffertiyj*. acconoffi
ffm\^ wi* an infinitely gtm^m^ the ^xterior.
pflrtsU: The tortoife, yrhofe heayKMpf:*:pefcM.fj
Ua,f ftfU(9bui-e, is a »very exOT^rcJft^apy Laoifioal?
^ ^.not th^JSaalkft refen^l^p^fft^raj^^otheit
;^«umal^<J being. ; , ^ ::: gi 3I :./i.oio. v:. • q
^. la . I CQofidpri^g ;nifi9, v/f i»4r«p^femWj'd$t

€St^^H«s^ 9«ttm^ /i&^ ,f:^^^£3SeooaivlKiif
prodigious variety d«o TrtK -An^lki the tigM0i»i4i
WfiPWt«3fti9^ Itei^chq^i^ ^3di«rfpi§B*>^j['Bnd
p^gti9nt^fShsir:>JMei^iS iwt^.ifUkift^il£»iii9£
tli«frt,ft?ftt'#tffei?«>#Biiq ei^4«Jf(fd^:hft>5^n»fct

^H 'live

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NATURAL HISTORr. 9

Hve in another element, and though their mode
of generation is fimiliar to that of quadrupeds,
yet they difFer greatly from them in form,
having no inferior extremities j birds differ ftill
more by their beaks,^ feathers, wings, and their
propagation by eggs; iifhes and amphibious
animals are yet farther removed from the human
form, and reptiles have no members. In the
whole exterior covering there is the greateft
diverfity, the intbrior conformation being near-
ly the fame ; tJiey have all a heart, a liver, a
ftomach, inteftines, and organs for generation ;
thefe ought to be confidered as parts the moft
^ntial to the animal economy, fince they
aVe the. moft fixed, and Icaft fubjeded to va-
riation. ' '

But it is to be obferved that, even in the
cover, there are' fome partis more fixed than
others. Of all the fenfes none of thefe ani-
mals are diveftcd. We have already explained
what may be their fenfation of feeling. What?
may be the nature of their fmelling and tafte we-
know not, but we are affured they all enjoy the
fenfe of feeing, and perhaps that of hearing alfo^
The fenfes may be confidered, then, as another
cflentia! part cf the animal economy, as well
as the brain, from which, fenftion derives its
origin. Even infe(3£» which differ fo much in

the

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ibc:,i^vfixe^<)l theanJnid econqmyi h^ye ^ part-
^^j^qus tp the br^,,.and pits jfun^ions. re-
{f^W ^^<f oi Qd)ef./fnimal$>, and ft^ch^ tW
<7yifte'8 >?bicb feepis tp be 4f pi;iyed, of a br^^in,
Gfight.to h,^ coaiider^d a$ Qnly,h^f:^imated,,
^4 ds /filling up a» intermediate, Jgpa^^betweei^*

i,:;A^ilhe,,^r4; isr t)jp j^««rfbifi^i|iq.iWterW?n
p6«i<rftth«illpiWal,;fe5i8^ia>fjt^n3lb€

timate and reciprocal, and though of thef^^ji^^

<8«Rfi ^,4^^^^. ar^.'^^<5}y'i#5fW^
Jffi5fil%:ifian,.wyei: bp, %?W^4. ^^9^^. tb^
iiSftai^itfi^tfeoj^ tijf ^m^. ^j : . ^o .ri'::.i

Q^l^tjqualljj,.: wjthpu^, iutprjpiijpjtjppyj.ia^d. i^de^

a^ .^^tq-iqr.,part> ^^ :Oi)ly .t^y.j^}tern;^tean-:(
t^ryaU, when ?,fie<aed byjCXter^l caufes* . Ob-
jfj^f? ,1aa, .upoa. ^e fcirfi^ the fg?fes n?o4iiy
l^i^.aAioni and qarry^tl^e iiTipx^pifion modified
^tq>4^be bra^ .wh§re J t bccop^ief wi^at we tern^.
^p^ipn. In coftfeqjwnte . of th^ ijnpreffi^jt
J. , the

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. NATUtHaZilHSTORY. :Xg

ttkB:liKi3nr]fiarf (ki'th^-iiePv'esyafidoDmnidi&del
jrfas vU^ratioh jfc has!receivcU;i aaadihikwifafatioft
ifinsHwhiciinpfn^cds' pBogreffion,y iaai(i;idl'' tko

^tddio!^ fi£bnii|BDik^iao|ib^!Jwr^4iiybnr^th8e ^tbc
body alfo afis upon the caafe.*^ TboB "objedli

llMhsate! alb iipoii^^iJiV ofc»)69r by itis czteridt
iAt^emi:ht«; flW>g0net^-'a£lio» is^ the ^mlh)
8ft*]re^^Jofc^eieflfe6fc ^^^^ >.:.^ni

^^ittftay^^eTfeiditbatriiT-'folid bbdiefe, wbtcl|
folYov^ihd'Uiks hf tnealxi&lCm; ^tbe re-a^ioti^ii
M#^^^^^^^d^Ai^^ bm fha^ in^th^ aivii
mkl-bodyii ap^aYStharthi^'re^aidiSdntls'grener
tb^^'tfte^^^ien/ ^^'tbalf' the' ofiier e^miof
liiftvferri^n® daght 'nov lo '^be i cohfidered as
fiibpt^dfibfl^ ef^th^ imprdi}i0n df i^'^As u{k>tt
the fenfes. To this C)bje<SltW<-Ii|epiyi thaf
thdt>;|h^'iif t^rt^in taf^ <egb&8 ^^p^^t'pt^r^
tioned:tbtb(^r daufo^ tJSefe islrf-Natura in-infl
feike niimbdr^of <§kfed wlieffe thd «ff(&dl*sap
no kind of pi^ponioft -ttv their ^^krcht caU^'.-
By a .fii^l6 fpark of fitet a' magd^ihe- of pdwdfet'
m^'befet'^*^ tkrlfeme, Sia'-a^'feS^abe bl6\%i?
up. Bf^e&iri&iHj a^^fli^lit- fii«i^npn)dii^a^
v«oI#Ati&6«&j? \i^h}chffti^lfaA\*iaaeaqt<?<^i<i^^
di{lanc«i;4'fftit?t& A:^k(fti&ll<t?^i4€^9^^^ii^^ea(>lr
ot&r they would all be almoft as much af.

. feaed

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12 BUFFON's

feSted by it as if the (hock had been confined
to each of them individually. It is not, then,
extraordinary that a flight impreffion on the
fenfes fhould produce in the animal body a
violent re.a6tion, and fhould manifeft itfelf by
exterior movements.

The caufes.we are qualified to afcertain, and
the quantity of whofe efFe£b we can precifely
eftimate, are lefs numerous than thofe whofe
mode of ad^ion is unknown, and of whofe pro-
portional relatidri," with their efFefts, we are
entirely ignorant. Now mofl effe&,s in Na-
ture depend on a number of caufes differently
combined, whofe adtions vary, and feem to be
determined by no eflablifhed law, confequendy
we can only form a conjectural eftimate by
endeavouring to approximate the truth, by the
means of probabilities.

I pretend, not, then, to afTert, as a demon-
ftrated fe£l, that progreffive, and other exterior
movements of animals, are caufed folely by the
i(npreffion of obje£i:s upon the fenfes. , I men-
tion it merely as likely, and founded on prin- .
ciples of analogy, fince all organized beings, •
which are deflitute of fenfe, are likewife defli-
tute of progreffive motion,* and that all thofe
which pofTefs the one have alfo the other.

To

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KATtniAt BirfTORy. 1^3

To iHuffiratc thdc obftrratfons fct m %ri€By
analyze the phyfical principles of our ^dtons.
When an objedt ftrikes any of our'fenfe% anH
the fenfation it produces ts agreeable^ it creates
a defire, whiA defire muft have a relation tt>
fome of -our qualities, or 'modes of enjoyment.
The objeflt we cannot defire but either tofce,
tafte, hear, finell, or to touch. We defire ?t
merely that we may render the firft fenfation
ilill more stgreeable, or to excite another, which
is a new tnatiner of enj^ing the objeft; for (f
in the moment that we perceive an objeft we
could enjoy it fully, through all the fcnfes at
once, we ihoii?d have nothing to defire. The
fource of defire, then, is, our being badly
fituated with refpe<£l.tothe objeS perceived,
our being either too far from, or too near to
It. This being the cafe we naturally change
our fituation, becaufe, at the fame time that we
perceive tiie object we likewife perceive the
cade which prevents our obtaining a iiill et>-
jo3mnertt of it. From the impreffion which
the objeft produces 4ipon our fenfes then, the
motion we make in confcquence ofthedefire^
and the defire itfdf, folely proceeds.

An objeft we perceive by the eye, and- which
we defire to touch, if widiin our reach, we
fVretch forth our ^handr, andif ata diftahce v/e
VOL. V. C put

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X4 BUFFOM'6

put ourlekes in motion to approach it. A
man deeply imtnerfed in thought, if, he is
hungry, and there is a piece of bread before
him, he will fei^e it, and even carry it to his
«mouA ;and eat it, without being confcious that
he has done fo. Tliefe movements are a ne-
ceflary confequence of the firft impreffion.of
obje(5b, and would never &U to fiicceed this
impreffion if other intervening impreffions did
not often oppofe this natural efFedl;, either by
weakening or by deftroying the aftion of the >
.firft,

- An organia^ being void of fenfation, as 4n
oyfter, whofe fenfe of feeling is probably very
imperfed, is deprived, not only of progreflive
motion, but even of fentiment and intelligence)
finq^ either of thefe would produce defirpy
which would manifeft itfelf by exterior move-
ment. That fuch beings are diveftea of a fenfe
of their own exifteace I will not affert, but, at
leaft, that fenfe muft be y^ imperfed iince they,
have no perception of the exiftence of others*
It is the a£tiori of objects upon. the fenfes,
which creates defire, and defire progreifive mo-
tion* In order to rendet^ this truth ftill more fen-
flble 1^ us fuppofe a man, at the very inftant his
will incites him to approach an obje£t, fuddenly
deprived of all his members, his body reduced

; to

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NATURAL HISTORT 15

to a phyfical point, to a globular atom, anc*,
provided the defire ftill fublifts, he nC'iU exert
hfs whole ftrength in order to change his fitua*
tion. The exterior and progreffiye movement
depends not, then, upon the organization and
figure of the body and members, fince what*
ever be the conformation of any being it will
not fail to move, provided it has fenfes, and a
defire to gratify them.

On tfafs exterior organization, indeed, de«
pends the facility, quicknefs, dire£Uan, and
continuity of motion, bat the cauie, principle,
action, and determinatioo, originate foldy from
defire occafioned by die impreffion of objeds
upon the fenfes; and if a man wsis deprived of
them be would no longer have defire, and con«
fequently remain conflandy at reft, notwith*
fbnding h9 might poflefs the facidties 6x mo-
tion.

The natural wsmts, as that of taking noari(h«
ment, are interior movememsi which necef-
firily create defire or appetite. Bythefe move- •
ments exterior motions may be prcduced in
animils, and, provided they are not 'deprived of •
exterior fenfes relative to thefe wantSr Aey wHl
aa to fatisfy them. Want k not defire; it
difiers from it ^ the caufc difFsrs from the
effect Every tme tb? animal perceives an
C a N object)

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1 6 JMJFPON.*«

qhj^, relative to its wants, defire begins, ^d
a£ltic»% follows.

.The a^ion of external obje£is muft produce
f^ne efFe£l,; ^ this «fib(^ we readily conceive
to be axnoul motion, aft every tune itf fenfcs
are ftruck in the £a»e manner, the iame move-,
nients always follow. . But how ihall we com**
pjrehend the action of obje£b. creating defire or
averfion ? How ihall we olitain a knowledge of
that \rhicb. operates- beyond die £cnfes,. tbofe
bfdng the intermediate between the action of .
t^i^Hi&Sj and the a&ionolF the animal;, a power'
i% whieh confifts the .princti^ Q& the. deti^
minaom q£ rnodoiH 4nce it oBodift^tbe ^oa.
oC the 4Bi»iaI,, and rwd^ra it fomp^frm^ auU..
iiotwtthftan£ngtbe impitiSioa^ of obj|Qds^?r

V Tht$ quefttem, as itr relates to man, is-di^*
ficult to berefolved, being h)K nature fo different
from other animals. The foul has a (hare in
all Qiti? movemtnts^ and. to dtflinguifh the
ethS^ of this f[]iritiial fuhflance, from tbofe pro-
dttppdt b)^ the; powers of our material being
alone, isian^^e&of very great diffictiity, and
ei which we cm form no judgment ba.t by
analogy, and by compasing our a£bipns^with
the natural eperatioas of other aniiwds,. But
as man aloae/iili pointed of this iplritu^l fuh*-
f^ce> w^ich ^ni^blps him i<y think and r^

flea.

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KATVRAL IU3TORY. If

fkStj ztii 96 the brute is a being sdtogether
naterialy which neither thinks nor refle<^
neverthelefe a£b» and fjems to determine, we
cannot doubt but that the principle of the
determination of motion is in the animals, aii
efFe6l altogether mechanical, and abfbkitely de^
pendant upon its organization*

I conceive, therefore, that in the animal, the
adion of otvje<^ on the (caks produces another
on the brain^ which I confider as an interior
and a general fenfe, which receives every im-
preffion that the exterior frnfes tranfinit to it.
This internal fenfe is nc^ only capable of being
agitated by the aalon of the fenfes, but alfo
of retaining»fora length of time, the agitations
thus produced ; and in the contimiity of the
agitation coiJifts the impreffioiJ, which is more
or lefs deep in proportion as the agitation is more
or le(s durable.

In the iirft place, then^ the inferior fenfe
differs from the exterior {enk$j in the pro-
perty which it has of receiving aliimpreifions,
while the exterior fenfes receive them merely
as they relate to their conformation ;r the-e>e,
for example, being no more effoaed by found
than the ear is by light Secondly, the interidr
differs from the exterior fenfes, by the duration
rf the agitations produced by exterior caufes;
C3 but

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but b every other refpeA diey are of tlie fame
nature. Tha *Meri»T feak of th€ biriite^ as
Its exterior, is eftttrety material, and ^ ef*
f%di of mQcbaoical organizataon. We bare,
like the animal, this material frnfe ; and we
po&fs, moreorer, a fenfeef a natureh'^hly
fuperior, which refides in tif^e^rrituatfubfi^uice
and whi^ch animates and guides us.

The brain of the animal is, therefore^ »
general ienfe, which receives al) iaapreffions
the external &afea tranfmit (jo it^ and thefe im-*
preffions coiUinue much longer in the internal
^an ia tiie external ienfes: for inftance, the
agitations which light produces 10 tbe eye,
continues longer than that wUch ibuad pro*
duces on the ear. - ^

It is on thi$ Account, diat the imprefions
which ibe former trai^mits to. tbe iiitmor ienf^
are more ftrong than ;thoie tranfinitted by the
latter; aadthatwere^refent to ourfelves the
diings. which me have ibeit much m(»'6 forcibly
. tiiaa thefe whieb: we have hear4 It is even
found, dsata:)^ all tbe fenfes, tbe ^ is that in
, which the; agitations are tao& duvsdeile, and in
.which, of confequence, though feenungly
they are mare explicit, die ftrongeft impre£-
fionsareformed*

The

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^ KATURAl. HISTORY. I^^

The eye may di^refare be confidered as »
continuatioiK^tKe interior fenfe; It is, indeed,
noting more than <M)e I^ge nerve expanded^
andaprolongatioi^of'th^ organ, in which the
interior (eak refides« That in its natiuse tiMre.
fhouU be a greater affinity to diis mternd^
fenfe^ isnot then ftu^fing; aad^ 'm ^Sk&^
nbt only its impreffions ai e mere duraUe> but
its properties saore emixiefli^ diaot tbefe of the
jother (cabs.

Tbe eye reprefetita- outwardly Ihe inwstrd '
knpreffieiisL Like the imcm^ fenfe^ it i&
a£tivev and^^qirQf&addli^or avefAon, whjie
all the other bsak^ are ii^iotty paifive ; they
are mereljr oagaot: fi)rme4 foe tfao recepiiQfi
of exterior impfcffioiiSy but incapable Of re-r
taining or reAeAtngAieim . .

When with viofeQee^ hawever> and 6» ^
length of time any fenfe Js a<Sted upon, th^
agitatbn iiibfiils much longer thaa the aflaon
of theocteriop ofa^eAs. This; i^, .-however,^
felt meft powerfully in tbe eye, which wiU re-
tain the dafiwiing imprefion made bykx>king^
for a moment, on the hOy for boons and even
days*

The brain alfo eminendy^enjoys tjiis property,
and not only retina the impreffions it receives
but propagates their actions, by communicating

^ the

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the vibrations to tMe nerves. The organs of
the exterior fenfes, the brain, the fpinal tnar*-- .
row, and the nerves,^ which are difFufed over
every part of the body, ought to be confidered
9(s one continued fubftance, as an organic ma-*
chine, in which* the fenfes are the parts a£led
vpon by the external ofajefls. But what ren*
ders this machine fo different from all others^
is its fulcrum not only being capable of refift--
ance, and re-ai^ion, but is itfeif aiSlive, becaufb .
it long renins impreffions it has received; and
the brain and its membranes being of great ca^
pacity and fenfibiHtyy it may receive a number
of iuccei&ve agitations, and re^n them in the
order in which they were received, bepaufa
each impreffion agitates one pStrt of the brain
only, and the fuc^ceifive impreiHons agitate the
fame or contiguous parts,, in a di&rent man-
ner.

Should we fuppofe an anhiial which- had no
brain, but poilc^ing an exterior of great fen*
fibility and extenfion ; an eye, for example, of
which the redna was as extenfive as that of the
brain, and bad the property of retaining, for a
long fpace, the impreilions it might receive^
it is certain^ that the' animal fo endowed would
fee at the fame time not only the prefent ob-
je£ts> but alfo thofe it bad feen before; and

feeing

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NATURAL HISTORY. aj.

feeing thus the paft and the prefent with one
glance, it would be determined mechanically
to. a<ft according, to the nuniber, or force, of the
agitations produced by, the images which ac-
corded witti) or were contrary to this deter-
mination. If the number of images calculated
to create an appetitOi (urpafled thofc that would
produce difguft, or loatbiog, the. animal would
nfceiTarily' be.deteroftiiied ra move,, in oi:der tp
fatisfy tb4t. appedte.: but if their number and ^
fpJEce we^e oqivJ^. having.. DO<partif:uIj|r caufe
far motloA it WQuU. r«gaiiin psi/e<9:Iy at re{(;,
aod if the m^iiber^ qc ths £^ce^ of the* images
of the fqrm^. ase equal to th& nup^c^i or the .
fQfce». of the images of the latter), the animal.
Mrill r«msiio mdri^mvQe^ andla aa^uiiibrluoi .
between, thefo. two. eq«4 po.wr% iios will he *
make a^y movement either to obtain or to
ayoid. This I (ay, it wouU do mechanically,,
and without the intervention- cf memory s for
as the anhhal fee» at. die . iame timet all the
iimgQS, they coniequently 2^y and thofe
which have aq. affiiQty to appetite and defire^
cauacera(§b thofe wbioh hare' an a^nity to an-
tipathy and difgyfl ; and it is by the preponde-
nuice of either, that detenmincs it to a& in this,
or ict. th4t manner.

It

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22 BUFFON's

It is evide;it, therefore, that in brutes the in-
terior fenfe differs in nothing from the exterior
but in the property of retaining the impreiEons
it has received, a property by which alone all
the aftions of 'animals may be explained, and '
fome idea obtained of what paffes within them 5
a property which fikewife, demonftrates the
effential* and infinite difference which fubfifts ^
between them and us, and from which may be
diftinguiflied in what refpeds thejr are fimilar.

The degrees of excellence in the fenfes da
not fbllow die feme order in Ac brute as in the"
human Ipecies, TTie fenfe which has the
rfrongeft affinity to thought, is the touch. Thisf
^is enjoyed by marn in greater perfecSFon than by
animals- That which has the ftrongeft affinity
to inftindt and appetite is that of fmelling 5 a.
ienfe in which man muft acknowledge an in-
finite inferiority, Man then has the greatelt
tendency to knowledge, and the brute to ap-
petite. In the former, the fenfe ffrft in point
of excellence, is the touchy and finelling the
laft; and this difference correfponds with the
nature of each. The fenfe of feeing is at beflr
uncertain, without the aid of the touch, and'
therefore lefe capable of perfeiSlion in the brute
than in man. The ear, though perhaps as per^
c^ in the former as in the latter, is of much.

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NATl/RAt HISTORY. aj

Jbr$ ule to the animal, from the want of ^ech,
which in man is an appendage to the fenfe of
jbearing, an organ of communication which
renders it an a£tive fenfe; whereas in the other
hearing is a feofe almoft entirety pai&ve. Man,
then, eojoys the fenfes of feeiirig, feeing, and
hearing, more perfe(9^ and the feiife of fmelling.
more imperfectly^ than other animals; and as
jthe tafte is an inferior fmell, and has alfo a
ftronger relation to appetite than any of the
other fenfes, there is a liifficient probability td
fuppofe, that animals enjoy it in a more ex-
quifite degree than man. ' Of this' tx proof
might be adduced fr6\n the repugnance which
^mals have to certain kinds of food, and from
their natural appetite for fuch as are proper for
them; while man, unlefs informed of the dif^
ference, would eat the fruit of one tree for thit
4>f another, and even hemlock for parfley.

The excellence of the fenfes proceeds from
Nature, but art and habit may render them
ftill more perfeft, A painter fees, at the firft
glance, numbers of fcades and differences,
which another perfon will pafs over unnoticed.
A mudcian, continually habituated to harmony,
receives a lively feniation of pain from difcord.
In like manner are the fenfes, and even appetites
of animah; rendered more perfect. Birds may

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i4. • ^ ^UFiroN*^

•be tanght^to repeat words, and imitate tunes;
And the ardour of a dog for the chace may bfe
increafed by accuftcsning him to a certain re-
ward.

In proportion as thefe fenfes are acute and
perfect does the animal fhow Itfelf adive atjd
intelligent. In man the improvement is not fo
confpiouoiis, becaufe he cstercffcs his tar and
his eye by means more i^onal and ingenious.
Thofe perRms who fce^ hear, or. fmcll, fei-
perfeftly, are of no tefe inteIlc<9Mal capacity
than others; an evident proof Aan in man
there ts fomethitig more than aA intfa-nal ani-
mal fenfe. This is the fcul of mani ^which is
a fuperior felife, a fpiritual fiAftance, ientire!y
•^different in its dftstee &nd aSion from the na-
ture 'of the e>rterrid fenfes. *

Frbm- this; however, we are nottti deny thf t
thereis in man an internal material fenfe corref-
pondtng "Witfc tlie Externa! ferifes^ But* what I
maintahl fe, that thfe latter is irrfirtltely fabordl-
rtafte to 'fte othcff; that Stie 'fpirltttal fubftance
governs It,' and either d^ftroys br 'creates its
opCTSftirns. In'the'acnin^ tMsfenft is the di;-
tcrttiin^tiifg pfincipflil of motion, bat in* man
only the means, or the fecorfdafyc^fe.

Let us endearroar to dear ujprthis'impfortaJit
pointy and let US' fee whftt power this imemlal

material

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WATtTRAL HrtTORY; %%

iiateriai fenfe poflcffes,. and what it w caprf)le
of producing. The intefitel material fenfe re-
ceives promifcuoufty afl the nnpreffions the eSc*
temal (cnfes tranfmit to it, Thefe inipreffions'
proceed from' the a(5tion of objefts; diey only
pafs over the external {nnksy and produce in
them batan inftantaneoas vibration; they-rcfti
however, upon tht internal fenfe,' and prodtice
in the brain, which is its organ, durable and
diftinS: agitations. TTiefe vibrations creatd
appetite or £Iguft, indiaadon orrepugnance^
accordii^ tothe pnefentxflate.and difpofitioa of
an animal. An animal^ Ae •inftani after ittf
birth, b^ins t0 brealbe^ fthd 4io feel the vmit of
Aourilhment; the'^fmell,' which is ^die (tnk of
af^etit^ receives the emanations of the miik'
whtiih is contained in thtf teats of -its ciother*
The ytbratioAs which thtsfciife- imdergoes,
from the -0(fi»riferoti9 particles, are' commii*
nical^-to thehnrin^ whtciia£ting,iii its turn,
vpon.the oerves, the ammal is .fHtmilate^ to^
4^>en iis nK»^, ^ obtaiA diat fiiftenance of
which it feeb the wma» The feiUe of appetite
being left acute in man ^laa in brtxtes, (fee in*
iknt at its birth fcds only the defift of reccir-'
ing nour^iment^ wfaidi it announces by ttsi
crieS) but it canootisteain it of ttfetf ; ttreoeive?'
no Jnfosmatkm from tiie fmdl, and is., obliged^

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$6 BVPffOK^S

to have Its mouth put to the nipple, when the
agitations, excited b7 the touch and finell, are
communicated to the brain and nerves, and the
child makes the Beceflary motions for fucking
in its nouri&ment Solely by the fmell and
tafte, the fenfes of appetite, can the aniq^ial be
informed of the prefence of its .fopd;^ and of the
place where it is, as it^ eyes are ilill doied, and
would, even if they were ogcnji in no d^ree
contri^bute towards the determination of mo*
tion. Vifion has a greater relation , to I^w*
|edge than to appptite, and in, 19^ ^S^^^r ^^
open fronx the pioment of his birth, ijq.jg^ic^
ani9[iaU it is ihut for leve|-al.day%,but in,,w|^im
^e i^nfes.of appetite are &r more e^qps^d^i^
and more perfect

The (anie remark is alike app%able tqftOr.
greffive motion, and to all the other exterior
movements. A new-boni infant can h^dly
move its members, and it is a long time before
it attains ftrengdi fufficient to ch^ge its place,
but in a very little time does a young animal,
acquire; thefe faculties. In the animal. the^
powers, relate (blely.to die appetite, which \s
vehement, quickly, developed, and the. fole^
principle of motion j in man the appetite . is
weak, more (lowly developed, and can lure lefs
i^uence than knoin^edge upon tbe^^dftennina*

tioa

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NATURAL HISTORY. ij

tion 6f ftioddn ; man is ncceffarily, in flils re-
fpe^i more backward than the ammal.

J^vcry thing concurs Aen to prove, even in
a phyfical fenie, that brutes are aZhiatcd by
appetite alone, and that man is governed by a
fuperior prfrtciple. If doubts ftill exift,^ it is
from ouf imperfeft cdiKeption how appetite
alone is capable of producing, in animals, eiFefls
fo much refetoWing thofe vHiich knowledge
producesamongourieives; and from the difficulty
welair« to diftinguiih \^t we do in virtue of
len^edge, Warn what we do bythe mere foriee oP
appetitef. Yet, in tny opinion, it is not im-
poAble to Hfptl this uhccrtainty. ^e in-'
tttiuJiftoatenal fenfe fet^lfts for a long time*
the agitations it receives ; it i§ a fenfe of which*
tile brain W the organ, and by which all the im-
prcffions are received that each of the exterior
fenfes tranfinits to it. When, thcrefpre, an
dxterfof* impreffion proceeds froni the fenfes
of appetite, the animal will advance to attain,
or draw back to avoid, the ol>je<St of this im-
preffion. This 'motion, however, is liable to
lincertaintj^ when produced by the eye or t;hd
car; becaufe, when an animal fees, or hear^, for
the firft time, he will be agitated by light or
.by found; yet this agitation will be uncertain,^
fmce neither Have any relation to appetite. It
ii only by reputed afls oF feeing and hearing,
JXsX s^ded

Digitized by VjOOQ IC

iS buffon's

added to the fenfes.of tafte and.feelixsg^ that it
will afluallj advaoc^. of. recede fnom objei^s
vhicb became retetive-to i^-i^ppetite^' A ^>gy
for iAftance,.whohasbe^n tutQred|.bpwe¥^r vio*
lent hU appetitp> will not iejj&e vfhs^t m^ht&tisfjr
tbat appetitc» altbougb be mH ufeevogr^-*
tyre to obtain it from ibe band^of.kt^ mafter^.
Doe$ nat-this amoial fe^ip ^ to reaiba between
defire and fear>. nearly as.a man vsould^Qi wfaa
yras inclined to ieize oxi:^^.property.of aao*
iher^ but was v^U>be]4 b}^the,dfca4 of («u«ifli7
jo^? Thougb.thi^ aoalogyinay.be j)UI 5 yet
to render it in efFe^ well-founded^ ihoiildjM>e
animab' be capable . qC f^omrn^ diQ Ama
a^cns that .we perform I Hqw ^^ cpntrarjt i&.
eyidentii. a^ nothing do anto^aU citber invent^.
ptrk(^i in ^vjery tWng they have an unifonsulty^
^4,. qqnfequently no, .r^fl^fltipnii. .Of this
an^gy then we may doubt it;s ri^ty>^aiKl
xnay.withr propriety enquires wbjBther it is nofi
by a pfinciplc^ different from wi$. tl^t .Jirujin
sore dir^djtedi' and wbeijier, without bein^
und^. the! tneceffity of allowing them d\&. aid.
of re8e£UoR» the fenfes^thej. ei;;joy are.^n9t
fufficieiit^ to prodt^ce the addons, they per*

ferm-r .. - .

Whatever relates to their appetites, ftrongly

agitates their interior (enfe ; and on the obje£l

of this appetite the dog would inftantly ruflt

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iii not this very fenfe retain the impreffions
of pain which had formerly accompanied this
a£Hon. By exterior iinpreiBons the animal
has been modified; This pfey xb not prefented
to a dog fimfdy, but to one which has been
chaftffed every time it obeyed this impulfe of
appetite} the agitations of pain therefore, are
renewed when thofe ef appe^te arefelty having
been ocmftamiy Mt at the ftme time. The
animal' befng duift Impeded at once by two
eonoraf^' powersr, two powers deftruQtve 6f
ea«h ^er, remains between them in- an eqiit«
likium ; Ind^ » the disterminative cauleof its
motion is cotmrer^baljcn^ed) it makes no effort
to attain the ob}e£k of its appetite. Though
the agitations of appetite and i^pugnaii&ey or
of pteaAire ttnd pa!n, deftroy the ei&a of
each cfditTy in die brain a diird vibhition tak^
pidce, which atcompanies Ae other tw(^ ^n3
Ais h occafioned by the aflJon' of Its mafleri
fr6m whbfehahd the animal has often rettiVed
its food i and as ^19 is in no degree 6p^ofe9
or coanler-balanced, it becomes' the ddter-*
ihihative caufe of motion ; and the dbg is
Aei^fore d^termihed ' to move towards its
mafter> and to remain in motion till its appetite
fe entirely fethfiet . *

r J, J f^

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30 BUFFON*^

In the lame isamier> and upon the (ame
principles, may. we cxpiaio,. however coinpit^
cated tht^ appear, all the. a&iosii of anmak^
without allowing them «irther ihought or re-
flection } the internal feofe being (ufBcient to
produce all their movi^niiti^^ . The nature oC
theo: fenfations alone rqmaiiH . to be 'ekscsiM
dated, which^ from, .what .imt have, aflerted,
muA be widely different, from purs* ^Have
animals, it ip|y be fiiidv : no knowledge,
|io<:oniS:ioiifnefstoC.tbeir.extftesiccE Dojoude^
prive thcQt oi[ ibQtjn^^tr i }n . pretecidiog . to
explaia their a£UoQ$ wppn mechanical psin*
ciplcs,. do you not in , fe£l render them mere
ii]achi4es, or infenfible automatoms I?
, If I have been righlly.janderftood^ it mitft
bavjs ^ppear^d, that^, far from ixifxt^inginbB9i&
jo( all fiov^r^,. I allow them every things
th(jught.aip^^€fle£^oftje;^ceptJed, FeeUngstbcy
) ayejt.. in,^ Jegfee fup<^rior ^ . ourfelves* > A
^confcioufiieis they alfo h^ve q£ their, prelei|i^
though 119^ ,pf ^ their ^ paft exiftence. They
liaye, fefiij^tion^. buf |hey. b^e n^t.^tl^ fa»culty
©f comparing ^ them,^ or .producing ideas :
i4eas being nothing , mpre. th^ui »fibcialions

of feiJations*, ^ ; .

Each .of thefc objtcfts fet ii$.)exa9une in par-
,^cu^r^ That 9fimi)s,>;|ve. ^seUog^ -aad ia

a de-^

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NATURAL HISTORY. 31 .

a. degree even more, exifin&ie than ourfblres^
I think we Jbavc already evinced, by ,what we
have fiud of tfae^exfielfence of ^ir fenfes re-
lative, to appetite. . Like ouifdves, theni ani«»
mals are affe^ed<bf pkafttt^ and pain, they
do not knowgood and eyil> but diey fed it}'
Vi^ac is agr^aUe to tbem -is good, whast ii
mkgpeBsijiid H bad, msA boAi aretiodiing tnore
than relatioQs,'^ Saotable, cf 'contrary to thenr
naturev^and organ^satfiom The plej^tme of
tickling, and .the padn from a hurt) as they
dep«iid'aiBibli|iteIjr dn'»an'a£lioB moreor leb
&o9g. upon the nerv^ #hkh are the organs
fif .fsniimimty-^tie aUke common to man and
oth^r aiiimalsi - Whatever aAs foftly npon
fiuk iMTgansy/istia catlle of {rfeafur^ aiid virhat*
evec fhadoesftfacini^vtdileiidyv is* a canfi of p^:
AHi kffSsaoosiii^txax^ zn- louices of fde^ure^
yihih:€myf»GLimxidses^^ fo

iboa^ th^bcttoi&tetoi^vftMang, they produce
fiain, ^jviuch, in a phyfidd fenfe, ii the extreiii^
nitk^ than-^-ej^pdlil^ <tf pleafure.
' A lighl^teofarig^'a lith tdd ho^ a noife
«o0^.1otid).'a imdl 'tx>eii ftrongyiCJbflMfeiriaaiik

ieni^ions ^ whereas a^ddicate colbur, ^ mcA^

. Ttate heat,: a ioift feund, a gentle j^unbe^ a

&itiay<9ifyMdU^ lofid^i 0taife and n^ove

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31 raPFOK's

ui with delight Every g^itle application to
the fcdei, dien, is a ^kaiiirey and every vio--
lent (hock apain ; and as the caufes which oc«
€afioR, vioieat) happen more rarely in Nature
diaa thofe which produce mild and moderate
effefis i and as animal^ by the e^^erciie of dieir
fenifiat acquire in a Itttk time^ thp- habit of
avoiding every thing oftn^ve orhunfid to
fbetOi andofdiftin^inlQung) and of apimaeb"
ii^ fucbatarepleafingi fin MhMtdoafa^ Itei/
eofoy iBore agreeable dtabAsm it^fnk di&eiee^
abk onesy and the amaufitroC d^ir {d^g^rea eX)*
ceed the amount of their paiiH

In many phyfical plcafare asid paiit fbriA thit
ibiaUeft part ^ his fuferings or: ei^mentsf
His imagination^ never idle, feems perpetuldl/
tni^yed toencreaiehIsmMin-y.> prefentirtg/ta
th^ mind nothii9.Jbttt vain phaman% 9r eiugi*-
gerated naagftk More agitated by shefe illu«
fiofiS) than by real cAije^ i^ aind kiTes iu
&c:uli;y of judgipg^ and even its dominioaj th#
wiU, cf which it has n^ longer ibecoinBUndi
bfscomes a burthen » its, e^avagan^ degr^tf ace
ibjnrows » /wd^at .btrft, i^ pro^pedB are. dslufive
pleafures, wbNeh.vanifb. as 6x>si as die^ mind)
xefiuning its plaae^ is enabled to form a judg«
giej«:of thi?nu

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HATURAt HX5T0RV 33

In fearchingfor pk»fure> we cfeate ourfelves
psun; and fecking to be more happy, we ia-
creafe ourmifefy^ thelefe we defire, the more
we po&fs* In fine, whatever we wifli, beyond
what Nature faa^ given, is pain ; and notfaixig is
{deafure but what fhe offers of. herfelf. Na-
ture preioits to us pleafures • wi^out number |<
fhe has provided for oar wants^ and fortified u$
agaifift pain, la the .phyiioal worid, there, it
ij|finit9^t»ore g6od ifvaaevil *, and therefore it
iftiiot.|hererfitle^'<bikt the chimeras, .vfb^ we
ha«t to dread :\ k^is- not 'pain of body, difeafe,
nor death,, that are 'tttribte; but the agitation
of the foul, the conflidl of the pajCons, die
txientttiw^iety^ ai^ tkofeonly we *need appre«

h^ni,' • ; ' -- i

..Animals have but one mode of enjoytx^g;
pUiftfote I the iatisfying their appetite by the ex<^
ercife of their ftniatiQas. We likewife enjo]i^
this &culty, and have another mode of acquiring^
(dciafiM, the exercife of themind,; whole appe«
lite 19 k{fo\i9%edg«. This foufce of pleafiire
WMid J be- the- more pure and copiot<s did not
oor paffionsr oppole its current, and divert * ih^
OHfid-fromcomempbtton. So fooil te diefe ob-^^
taio ttte^afcendancy, realbn is fileficed^ a djTn
guft to truth enfuesj: the charm of iUufion in«

creafes

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creafes; error fortifies itfci^ itnd drags us on
to mHery } for what mifery can be grtater thati
ho longer leeing diings as iSxcy'strt ; to hsLVt!
judgmentprevcrtedby paffiofti'j to aft (cMf by
ks direJKott, to sppearj in Conferences nnfuft
or ridiculous* to others I and, wh^nlhe Kotir of
fetf-examinatioir tomes^ of being fbrctd t9
defpife ourielves'f

t In tiiis Aate <^ illnfion atid darititefe ii\^
would change the natttre of tniir ibulv Sbe wa#
given us for die purj^fes of knowledge ^ttttf ^mr
w<mld employ herfclely fsr tkofe itf Ibsftt^n.
CoaM we^ eactiflgttiSi WO^^ &r liwm i%«
grotting theMs, wiib |>!eafiire Aodd we m^
hrzcQ the lot of iliots. ' ^As'l^m loi^e#^
rea(bn but duriAg iotervab, and ^ tfteib itt-'
fervid$.ftte trottbkfcixle, and Tpenf in fteref jro*
proaebesi ^nre wift to fiippids -diedfi) and tilttSi
procc^ng irom one iUofion to anpdier) vft at
length endeatTOor to lofe tdl knoHde^ei all re-'
membrartce of ouriHvBsv-

A paiSoo M^idiout intervals is maAiefi, ik^
a ftate of.madnefs is die death of (he fodt;
Violent paffions 'with mtervals are fits of *>%>
a malady (of ittt liiind, -whofe danger corififfc^ in
its duration and frequency.' . In diofe* intervals
alone it nmy be £ttd*ta enjoy hesdtb by the re^
^^ / . . : • ■ - iumption*

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NATURAL mnonr. %^

ftmptioa of idfifcob but prertnu it being t
ftate of bappkid^ bf r^to&iiig co, and con*
deninif^ the paft tolUey*
. The geim^i^iof .ibofe viho call diemUvei
uxAtdgpy^Wffi fimicof irioi^ilpaffiDnsy or rather
madniea, ^hotlmvc S»ne intemds <^ miboi
and ^ in .:iua^ed >i^febns». tfaertr aro more
falfe deiiresy more rain purfiitttr'aaoie mtmdf
paffiqi|$fij|iQre^Mifeaof<tfadBiiiid,than'in tho
is^mi tblijJGli<Diio>.4M)amd.a49i^ ii^the

iSittJbl 19 ftuan fa^ iheft Iflooa^ob^ea^
tii^ilMiahiliatiiig vt9rttti»^aiSi4a4«K^arVi^ of tho
U3im <^ y^ndoni^ ii9im:^m is worthy our ao-
tif^^cf^mt^misi irith baa fituationt be^ who ta^
eoti^Ao thistch^raflwywithea no( «oUve bi»l
a^^-N^bltfi alwa^fm lived ; bapfi^. wbtbitt bmSsAS
bf itendyn fifttfe need pf oeher refoufceai eon^
tiouaUy ^flwpied ia^exerdfiag the fiiodtie^ of
hi^ mio4 ^ V^fia^ bts itiiderftaadiag> ciUtf*
yates his talents> acquirea new kiiowksd|gC) ahd^
y^AlQitliemorfe and di%iift be ettjoj^^thoMrh^e

. ^aiaokke tbUrisr undoubtedly tbe^ibappiefb
being in ^)>lature. To the pUsJkru ef-tho:
bod]r> wbicb be pofieifts inconftmon wi& edxer
anioFiala* be add«t thp<e of the m^r^i^bbe
et^offseiicbifirelj/w He baa two netbods of.

being

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^6 BUFFO* V ' '

feeing happy, which aid arid fortify each other;
and if 'by indifpofition^ oi" accident, he is fub-
jefted to pain, his fufferings are not great, his
Arength of mind fupports hina, reafon conlbles
Ilim, and he' feels a £lttisfa(Stion that he is enabledf
io iuSer. • ' . *

The- hedth of man • is more precarious
ilian that of ''any 'other ' aAimal ; ' he is in-
difpofed more frequendy, and for a greater
tength rf^ time, and dies at all 'ages, while
brutes travel dirough life with an even and a*
fteadjr pace. This difference Teems to proceed
from two caafes, which, though widely diftiri£t,'
contribute^ to the feme effeft» The firft is, the
«nniline6 of our internal -material fenfe; the
piflioris have an influence on the. hedth, and
diibfder the printiples which animate us. * A1-*
moft all miailkittcltead a life of timidity or con-
tention, and the gt'eateft fatt di^ of chagfine;
The fecond is, the iiliperFe^ion of thofe of our
fenfes which have an a*mty with the appetite.'
Brute animals have a better perception of what
is fuitable to their nature; they are not liable
to deception in the choice of their food $ <hey
a(re*not guilty trf'.e^ccefs in their pleafures ; and,
gui^died folely by a fenfe oJF their prefent wants,-
they fetisfy -diefe wtHout feeking nehv tnodes-
of gratificMCioii. - As-for fnafi> indepeAdent of

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NATURAL HISTORY. 37

Ms propenilty to excefs^ independent of that
ardour with whidi be endeavours to deftroy
himCdfj by endeavounog to* force Nature ; he
hardly koows how to diftinguiih the cfFcdt of
this or that aourifliment; be difdains Ample
food, and prefers artificial difhes, becaufe his
taSe is depuvti^ and becaufe, from being a
fenfe of pleafure, he has rendered it an organ
of debauchery, which iS never gratified but
when it is irriCatecL

It is. not fitrprifuigi' tberefore, that we are
more fubje<% tfa^ the antmak to infirmities i
fuice we know not fo well as them, what may
contribute to^ prefcrve or deftroy. health, our
experience being lefs certain than their percep-
tioni n^y weabufe the very fenfes .of tbeL^ap^.
petite, which-they enjoy in fuch fuperior excel-
lence, thefe being to them die mean$ of pre-
ferving health, and to us caufes- of djfeafe and
of deftruftion. By intemperance alone more
m^n iicken and die, than by all the fcourges in*,
cideiit to human nature*

From thefe refle<5lions it would appear that
animals have a more certain, as well as a more
exquifite fenfation of feeling than men. In
fiipport of this fuperior flrength of fentiment,
we may advert to their fenfe of fmelling, which
forae animals enjoy to fuch a degree that they ,
yoL. V. E can

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3^ feUFPON's

can fmell farther than they can fee. A fenfe
like this, is an eye which fees obj^dls, not only
where they are, but even where they have been ;
it is the fenfe by which the brute animal diftin-
guifhes what is fuitable or repugnant to its na-
ture, and by which it perceives,, and choofes,
what is proper for the gratification of its appe-
tite.

In greater perfeftion, then, than man, do ani-
mals enjoy the fenfes which relate to appetite ;
and though of their prefcnt exiftence they have
a confcioufnefs, of their pafl: they have none.
This fecond propofition, as well as the firft, is
worthy confideration. The confcioufnefs of
exiftei^ce, is compofed, in man, of the fenfation
of his prefent, and of the remembrance of his
paft exiftence. Remembrance is a fenfaStion
altogether as prefent as the firft impreiEon, and
fometimes afFedls us more ftrongly. As thefe
two kinds of fenfation are different, ahd as the.
mind poflefles the faculty of comparing and
forming ideas from them, our confcioufnefs
of exiftence is the more certain, and ex-
tenfive, as remembrance more frequently and
copioufly recals paft things and occurrences ;
and as, by our refle<aions, we compare
and combine them with thofe paft and pre-
fent occurrences. Every man retains within

himfelf

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NATURAL HISTORY. 39

himfelf a certain, number of. fenfations, corref-
pondent with the dliFerent exiftences, or ftatesj
tlirough which he has pafled } and thefe fcnti-
tions, by the comparifon which the mind forms
between them, at length become a fuccefSon,
andaferies of .ideas. In this comparifon cf
fenfations confifts the idea of time; andindfced
all other. ideas. But this feries of ideas, this
chain of exiftences; is often pre fen ted to us in
an order very different from that in which our
fcnfations reached us; and in* this it is, tliat tlie
difference principally confifts in the genius and
difpofition of mankind.
' Some men have minds particularly a<5tne
in comparing and forming ideas. Thefe are,
invariably, the moft; ingenious, and, circum*
ftaDce.3 concurring, will always diftinguifli
themfelvcs* There ai*e others, and in a greater
number^ whofe nriinds are lefs aftive, allow
all fenfations which have not a certain degree
of force to efcape, and who only compare thofe
by which they are ftrongly agitated. In points
of ingenuity and vivacity thefe yield to the
former. Others ft ill there are, and they form
the multitude^ in whom there is fo little activity
of mind, fo little propenfity to think, that they
compare and combine nothing -, at leaft al the
Ez firfl:

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40 BUFFON^S

"firft glance ; fenfations of force, and repeated
a thoufand times, are required before their
minds will be influenced to compare them, and
form ideas.

The coiifctoufnefs of ouf exiftence being
compofed, then, not only of our aAual fen*
fations, but of the train of ideas, which gave
rife to the comparlfon of our fenfations, and
of our paft exiftences, it is evident, that the
more ideas We have, the more certain we are
of our exiftence ; that the more we have of
intellectual capacity, the moreweexift; that
It is by ih2 power of refle<£Kon alone, that we
are certain of our paft exiftence^ and view our
future one ; the idea of futurity being nothing
more than a comparifon of the prefent with
the paft inverted, fince in this light, the pre*
fent is paft, and the future prefent.

This power of reflexion being denied to
animals, it is certain they cannot form ideas^
and confequently, their confcioufnefs of exift-
cnce-is lefs fure, and lefe extenfive than ours.
Having no idea of time, no knowledge of the
paft, nor conception of the future, their con-
fcioufnefs of exiftence is fimple, depends folely
on the fenfations which a^ually affect them,
.and coniifts in the internal fentiment whichi
tfaefe fenfations produce^

Majf

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«Af tJRitC ttlirroR'Y. 41

May we not conceive Mrfaat this confoioufnefa
of exiftehce is in animals, by reflecting on our
own ftate wheii ftrongly occupied with fome
objedly or violently agitated by fome paflioni
which banifiies every refledion upon felf P
This ftate we familiarly exprefs by iaying.
The man is abfent or beflde himfelf; and
people are in reality befide themfelves^ when
they are occupied with (enTations adlually
prefent to them, efpecially if thofe fen/ations
are fo violent and rapid as to allow the mind
no time for rcfledion. When thus fituated
we feel pleafure and pain in all their varieties;
therefore, though feemingly without the par-
ticipation of the mind, we have a confciou!^
nefs of our exiftence. This ftate, to which
we are occafioi^ally expofed, is the habitual
ftate of animals s deprived of ideas, and fur*
liiihed with fen&tions, they kruw not their ex-
iftence but feel it, .

To render more fenfible this difference, let
us confidcr minutely the faculties cf brutes,
and compare them with the a<Skiont of man.
Like us they have fenfes, and receive im-
preffions from exterior objeiSlsj they have alfo
an interior fehfe, an organ' which retains the
agitations cccafioned by thofe impreffions, and
coniequently feniacions, which, like ours, are
E 3 renew-

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41 buffonV

renewable, and are more or lefe ftrong ancf
duralilc. But they have neither ingenuity^
underftanding, nor memory ; becaufe they are
denied the power of comparing their fenfations^
and becaufe theie three facuhies of the mind de*
pend on this poiver. ^

Have animals no memory ? It will be re-
plied, The contrary Teems demonftrably evi-
dent» After a confiderable ab&nce do they
not recognize the perfons with whom they had
lived) the pkees where they redded, and the
roads which they had frequented ? Do they noc
recoiled the punifliments, the carefles, the lef-
fons they had received ? Though deprived of
imaginatiofi and underflanding, every thing
feems ftill to evince, they have a memory ac-
tive, extenfivey and perhaps more faithful than
our own. — However perfuafive thefe appear<»
ances may be deemedy.and however ftrong may
be the prejudices created by them,, I prefume I
can demonftrate^ that they deceive us, and that
brute animals have no knowledge of paft events,
no idea of time, and, of confequence, no me*
mory.

In man memory flows from the power of re«
fle£tlon, for the remembrance rf thing3 paft
fupp< f.s not only the duration of the impref^
fions oa our internal material ilenie, or xenova*

tion

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WATTTRAL HISTORY. 43

tion of former fenfations, but alfo die com-"
parifon which the mind has made of thofe fen-
fations, or the ideas it has formed. If memory
confifted merely in the renovation of paft {en^
fations, thofe fenfations would be leprclented to
our internal fenfe without leaving any deter*
mined impreffions 5 they would prefent them-
felves without order or conne£tion, as they do
in a ftate of intoxication, or in dreams, when
they are fo incongruous, and (b incoherent,
that we immediately lofe sdl recolIe£Hon of -
them. Of fuch things only as have a relation
to others, vAich preceded or followed them, do
we retain a remembrance j and every folitary
feniation, however powerful, paflcs away with-
out leaving the finalleft trace on the mind.
Now it is the mind which eftabliflies thefe re-
lations of objcfts, by the comparifon it makes
between them, and conned our feniations by a
continued thread ef ideas. As memory con-
fifts, then, in a fucceffion of ideas, fo it ne-
ceflarily fiippofes the power by which ideas are
produced.

But^ if poffible^ to leave no. doubt on this im«
portant point, let us enquire into the nature
of that remembrance leit by our fenfations
when they are unaccompanied with ideas ^ Fain
and pleafure are pure fen&tiiEttis, and the itrongeft

of

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44 BUFFON*^

kJL any, yet we but feebly recoiled them, and
with coafufion. All tve remember is, that we
were pleafed pr hurt; bat this remembrance \%
not diftin^l; we cannot reprefent to biirielves
either the kind, the degree, or the duration, of
thofe fenlations by which we had been fa vio-
lently agitated ; and the lefs are we capable of
re(>refenting' thofe wc had but fddom felt A
{Kiin, for example, which we have experienced
but once, which only kfted a few mtnotes, and
differed from all former pains, would be foon
forgotten; we might recoiled we felt great
irain, yet^ though we diftindly recolleded the
circumftances which accompanied it,, and the
period at which it happened, we fhouid have
but an imperfed remembrance of the pain
it(el£

Why is almoft every thing forgotten that
pafi^d during otur in&ncy? Why hare old
men a more diftin£): remembrance of what bap*
p'ned in their prime of life than what occurred
in their more advanced jears \ Can there be
a ftronger proof that fenfations alone are not
iiifficient to produce memory, and that it exifts
iblely in the train cf ideas which our minds de-t^
rive from thofe fenfations^ In infancy the fen*
iations are as lively and'^rapid as in manhood,
yet they leave few or no tracer becaufe at this

aera

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KATURAt HISTORY. 45

ser2L the power of refle^Uon, in^ich akme caa
form ideas> is alinoft totally ina^ve i and be«
caufe) in the moments it does ad^ its com«
parifons are only fuperficial. In manhood rea-
fon is completely developed, becaufe the power
of reflexion is in full exercife ; we then derive
from our fcniations every poi&ble advantage^
and form many orders of ideas, and chains of
thought, whereof each, ffom being often re«
volved, forms fo durable and indelible an im«
preffion, that when old age comes on, thofe very
ideas prefent themfelves with nvore force than
thofe deri\'ed from prefent fen(ations, becaufe at
that period the ieu&tions are feeble, flow, and
dull, and the mind itfelf partakes of the languor
of the body. In infancy, the time prefent is
every thing; in manhood, we equally enjoy the
paft, the prefent, and the future i in old age W9
have little fenfe of the prefent, we turn our
eyes to the future, and exift in the paft. In
die in&nt that prattles, and the qld man that;
doats, reafon is alike imperfect, becaufe they
are alike void of ideas; the former is a3 yet
unable to form them, and the latter has ceafed^
An ideot, whofe corporeal fenfes and organs
appear to be found, has, like us, fenfations of
all kinds ; he YfiH alfo have them in the fame

order^

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46 BUFFON^S

order, if he lives in fociety> and is obliged to
a£l as other men. As thefe fenfations do not
create in him ideas, as there is no corref-*
pondence between bis mind and his body, and
as he is incapable of reflexion, (b he is n&«
eeflarily deftitute of memory, and all know-
ledge of iymfelf. In nothing does fuch a man
differ from a brute, as to the exterior £u:uluesy
jR>r though he has a foul, and poiTefles the prin-
ciple of reafon, yet, as this principle remains in
a ftate of ina£^ion, .and receives nothing from
the corporeal organs, it can have no influence
upon his adlions, whic^ are like thofe of an
animal, folely determined by its fen&tions, and
By a fentim^nt of its exiftence and prefcm
Waiit9« Thus the Ideot and the brute are
beings whofe operations are, in every rcfpeSt^
Ae'&me^ becaiife t}ie one has no foul, and the
other makes not any ufe of it^ they are both
dfeftitute of the power of refle£Uon, and of
eourfe have neither underftanding nor memory,
bhould it ftill be faid, «^ Do not die ideot
and the brute often a<5): as if they ,were deter-
mined by the knowledge of things ps^ f Dq
diey not^iftinguifli perfoHs with whom they
have lived; places where they have redded,
and perform many other adlions, which oecef-

fcrily

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NATURAL HISTORY. 4Jf

fiiTily imply memory i And does not all thi$
prove that memory proceeds not from the pow«
«r of reflexion ? "

• It muft already have been perceived, that I
diftinguiih two kinds of memory, infinitely dif*
ferent in their caufts, though fomewhat fimi*
liar in their efFe£ls. The one confifts in the
tmpreffions of our Ideas ; and the other, which
I would rather term reminifcence than memo^
ry, is iioihlng more than the renovation of our
ienfations, or of the vibrations by which they
were occafioned. T4ie former ifliies from the
mind, and is much more perfe£): in man than
the latter;* which is produced merdy by the
renovation of die vibrations of the internal
fenfe, and is the only memory poffeffed by
brutes or .ideots. Their preceding fenfation(
are renewed by their prefent ones ; the preftnt,
and principal, calls forth the former, and the
acceffary images ; they feel as they have fdl^
and therefore they aft as they have afied ; they
behold together the prefent and the paft* but
without diftlnguiihing or comparing^ and conr
fequ^ntly without knowing them. .

As another proof of the exiftcnce of memory
in animals, I may be told of their dreams. It
is certain, that brutes while afleep, have the
things .reprefentied to them with wbioh they

have

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48 buffon's

have been occupied while awake. Dogs bark
when they are afleep ; and though this barking
is feeble, yet- it is eafy to diftinguifti in it the
cry of the chace, accents of rage, founds of de-
fire, of murmur, &c. It is not to be doubted,
then, but that dogs have a lively, and aSive
memory, diiFerent too from that of which
we have now been fpeaking, fince it afts inde-^
pendent of any exterior caufe.

To clear up this difficulty, it is neceflary to
examine the nature of dreams, and to enquire
whether they proceed from the thind, or depend
entirely on our internal material fenfe. If we
could prove that they reflde folely in the latter,
it would be an anfwer to the objeiSlion, and
ano&er demonftration, that, in brutes, there
is neither underftanding nor memory. -

Ideots, whofe minds are without a6lion9
ikeam like other men ; therefore, dreams are
produced independent of the mind. Let any
perfon refled upon his dreams, and endea*
vour to dlfcover,"" why the circumftances
are fo unconnected, and the events fa
extravagant. To me it appears, that it is
jprincipAly becaufe they turn folely upon fen-
iations, and not upon ideas. With the idea
of time^ for example, they have n& affinity.
Perfoas are reprefented whom we never faw,

and

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and even thc^ who hsive been d^ for many

years, as alive, and as they formerly wer e^

when living; but we indifferently connedi

them with things,, and perfons of the prefenity^

or of a .different period. Thus it is alfo with^

ih% idea of place; we muft perceive qbjedlf

whe/e they are not, or we fhould not fee them,

at alL Did the mind a£l in a Single infkant

it would give order to this . incongruous train

©f fenfations. Inftead of which it allows the

reprelentations to fucceed each other in dif-

order 5 and though each obje£k aj)pears in lively,

colours, the fucceiEon is often confufed, and

always chimerical. If the mind is rath^

roufed by the enormity^ or force of thefe ka^^

fations^ it will in the midil of this darknels,

produce a fpark of li^t^ -asad cx^^ate, in the

midft of chimeras, a real idea. We thei;

dreamy or rather we will think fo, for though,

this action is but a fmall fign of the foul> it Is

yet neither a fenfation nor a dream ; it is a

thought, a refle£):Lon, but being too weak to

difpel the illufioh, it mixes with aad .forms a

part of the dream, and prevents not the re-

prefentations from fucceeding; in fo ^nuch,

that on awaking) we imagine we bad dreamed

the very things. We had thought,

yojL. y. ' F Ia.

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In dreams, we iee much thougk we bu^
feMom underftand ; we are powerfully agitated
by our feo&ttons, images ibilow each other,
without the leaft kiMventfon of the mind,
ekher to compare or reconcile them. We
have fen&tions then, but no ideas, die lattep
being compatifons of tho formeri fo dreams
muft refide folety in the internal material fenfe j
and as die mind doe».not produce them, diey
muft form a part of that anima} reminifeaice, erf
which we have already treated. Memory, on
the contrary, cannot exift without the idea
e£ t^'me, withoi»t a Comparison of ideas, and
as thefe extend not. to dreams, ie feems to bo
6bvious, that they can neither be a coniequence
2K>r an dFe^, ndr a proof of memory*. But
though, it fliouM be maintained that to fome
dreams, ideas certainly belong ; and as a proof
of it, thofe peoj^e be quoted who walk,' fpeak,
andconveifeconneSiedly while afoepj ftil], it
would be fuflicieotformy argument, thatdrcams
may be produced by the renovation of fenfations
alone, io^y in confequence thereof, the dreams
of animals' muft be merely of this Ipecies,
and fuch dreams, far from fuppofing memory^
indicate nothing but a material reminiicence.

By no means am I inclined to believe^ that
perfons y(\i^ walk and converie while alleeps

are

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WATURAL HISTORY. 51

are in reality occupied widi ideas. In all fuch
. «£ti<His, the mind feems to haVe no concern.
Sleep-walkers go about, return and ad) with«-
c^t refledtioa or knowledge of their fituatioll
or danger ^ alone are their aiHinsd facilities ex^
ercifed, and even of thefe fome remain unenn
ployed 5 and while in this ftate, a fleep- walker
is of courfe more ftupid than an idiot. With
refpeft toperfons who (peak vMle afleep, they
never fiiy any tkiitg new. An ^mfwer to cer«k
tain common queftions, a repetition- of a fe^
familkr cxpreffions, may be produced, igide«
pendent of the pritoiipic 0i tbraght or skSkiii
dftheinind Why(bouIdwenot4>eak with^
eut thougiht when aHeep, fince whtn moil
awalse^ and under the ittfoence of paffion^
fiianUtOMft PMubetkk liungs .without reflect
tion,

• As ttl ^ octafiooal canfe <^ diPeams, hf
which formed Jenfationii am reneMred without
being excited by prei^lit objefis, it is to bd
obferved, tkOt we never d^eam when our fleep
is found: ^very thing is dien ill afiateofih-*
a£Hon, and we flebp both outwardly ami in^
wardly. The int^hal fenfe^ however, falls
afleep the bflr> ftnd aw^]^» the firft, becaufe it
is more aAivf^) and nwre eafily agitated, than
the extcKial fcnfes. It is when owflcep/is Mi
F Z found

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S2 BirrFON*s

found tl&t we experience ilkiiive dreto»,
aiid former fenfations, thofe e(pecial]y which
require not rcflejaion, are renewed. The in-
icrnal fenfe being unoccupied by a£hial fenfa^
tions, from the inaction of the external fenfes>
fixercifts itfelf upon its paft fenfetions. Of
ifaefe, the moft ftrong appear the moft often ;
and the. more they arc ftrong, the more the
Situations are extravagant y and for this reafoa
it is, that almoft all dreams either terrify or
charm Us. " '

'JThat the internal material fenfe may z& of
ifielf^ it Is.not neceflary that die exterior fenfes
ihould be abfolutety in a ftate of repofe : it is
iuffieient if they ate without exercife. Ac-
cuftomt^d regularl]^ to relign ourfelves toxepofey
viffi do not ealily &U afleep': the bodf, and th^
members, fofdy extended, are without motion |
the eyes veiled by darknefS) the tranquility of
the places and the Ulence of the oigh^, render
the ear ufelefs s alike ihaSive are the other fen-»
^Sji- allis^at reft, though nothing is yet lul-
led to flee{». In this, cpndition, when the mind
is 2Mb unoccupied with ideasy the internal
material , fenfe is the only ppwer that ads.
Then is the time for chimerical images and
fluttering fliadows. We are awake, and yet
we esp^ience the efyOs of fleep. If we ac^

ia

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HATtrmAL mSTpRY. 51

in full health) th^ images are agreeeable, the
illufions are charming; but if the body is did
ordered or opprdBed> then we fee grim and
hideous phamomS) which fucceed each other
in a manner not more whimfical than rapid«
It is a magic laothorny a (bene of chimeras,
whi^b fill the brain> when deftitut^ of other
lenfiitions* We remember our dreams, from
the lame caufe ths^t we reniember fenfiuiona
Jatdy experienced; and tito only difference
which fiibfifts bittween us and brutes is, that
we can diAinguifh what belongs to dreams»
from what belongs to our real ideas or.feniap-
tions ; and Uiis is a comparifon, an operation
of the.mpmory, to which the idea of time ex«*
tends* While brutes, who are deprived of
memory, and of this, power of comparifon,
.cannot diftioguiih their dreams frosn. their
seal feniations*

I preAune, dia^ Ux treating of the nature o£
man, I have domonftratiyely fhown, that ani*
mals enjoy not the power of reflection* Now
the underftandii^ which is the refult of that
power^ may be diftinguiihed by two different
operations* The firft . is the capacity to
compare ien£ttions, and, form , ideas from
them ; the fecond is the faculty to compaic
ideas themfclvesj and (oua arguments, or con*
F 3 dufions.

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54 BUFFON'a

dufions tbereon r by the firft we acquire par*
ticular ideas^ or the knowledge of fenfiblc
objects; by the other we form general ideas
which are neceiTary for the comprehenfion of
abftra£i: truths. Neither; of thefe faculties do
the animals poflTefs, becaufe they are void of uni-
derftanding ^ and to the iirft of thefe openu
tions does the underftanding^ of the bulkof mea
feem to be limited ? . .

Were all men equally enable of comparing

ideas, of rendering them, g^uieial, ^y wouU

equally manifeft their genius by new produc«

tioi^s, alw^s different from^ and fometimes

more perfeft, than thofc of others j. all would

^iijoy the power of invention,, or at leaft the

talents for improvement. This, however, is

far from being the cafe. Reduced to a fervile

imitatiofi> the generality of men execute no*.

thing but what they fee done by. others ; di^

only think by mepibiy, and* in l2ie£tme ftyle as

others have thought, and their underftanding,

being too confined for invention, they proceed

to follow imitation.

Imagination is likewife a faculty of the mind.
If, hy imagination^ we underftand the power
of comparing, images with ideas; of giving
colours to our thoughts ; of aggrandizing our
fen&tionsi of perceiving diftia^y all the re-*

mote *

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•tati^rAl history. 55

mote affinities of obje£b } it is the moft bril«
Hant and moft adive faculty of the mind of
which brutes are ftill more deftitute than of un-
^^ihmding or itiemorfr. But there is another
kind of imagination which depends folely upon
the corporeal organs, and which we poilefs ia
common with brutes j it is that tumultuous
emotion, excited by ob)e£):s analogous or con-
trary to our appetites $ that lively sOid deepim«»
preffion of the images of objeSs, which is con-
ftantly, and againft our inclinations, renewed
and forces us to z&. widsout refleftion ; this
xeprefentation of objedb, which is moreaflivc
thaii even th<^ir prefence, exaggerates and faL-
fifies every thing. This imagination is for
ever hoftile to thehummi mind; it is the fourcc
of illuiion, the parent of thefe paffions, which)
ki defiance of tfie efforts of reafon, bear us
away, and:e3qK)feus to a continual combat, in
which we are almoft always wprfted.

HOMO DUPLEX.

The interior man is double,, being compofed
of tWQ principles different in their nature, and
contrary in tlieir a6i;ion. The foul, that pria-
ciple dF all knowledge, is perpetually oppofed'
by another purely materiajl principle. The

former

Digitized by VjOOQ IC

36 BUFFON*S

fonner is a poie light, iccompaoi^ed with (e«
rtnitjr and peace, a falutary (burce^ whence flow
* |cienc€> raaibn, and wifilomi the btteris «
fidfe lighty which never ihines but in the midft
of darkne& and hurricane, an impetuous tor« -
nnt firaught with error and piiffion.

The uuaai principle is firft devdoped. Aa
it is altogeter material, and coofifts in the
docadoii of viiMradoiis, and the renovation of
imprcfliona formed in the internal material
ftnft^ byobje^anakgOtts, or contrary to our
appetites, itbegins to aft as iiion as the bodjr
is capdile o< ibelii^.pain or pkafiiie. The
ipirituai princi(de maoifefts itfeif much later,
and is developed and perfefted by means of
education i it is ^r the oommimicatioA of die
thoughts of odiers, that the in&nt become a
thhdctng and a rational being i and widiout
diis communication, it would be fantaftic or
ftupid according to the degree of a£Kvity or ii»«
a^Hvity of its internal material fenfe*

Let us coniiidcr a child, when at liberty, and
far from the eye of his mailer* By his exteri-
or actions we mi^ judge of what palles within
him. A ftranger to thought or reflexion, he
a^ without reafon; treads with indiflEErence
through all the paths of pleafurei obeys all
tfaeimpreffioas of exterior objefts; amufes

himfelf

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VATVKAL HISTORY. 57

himfclf like a' young animal, in running and
bodily cxercife; all his a£tions and motions^
.are without order, or defign. Called on bjr
the perfon who has taught hirtl to thiiik, he
compofes himfelf, dire<^s his afiions, and
proves that he has retained the thoughts iVhich^
have been communicated to him* In infancy,
the material principle is predomioant, and
would fo continue, were not ediicatii»i to dc-
velope the ^^intual principle, asdr to pot it in
motion.

The exiftence of thcfe two principles is cafily
difcovered. In life there are moments, naft
hours and days, in which .we may not only de^^
termine of the certainty of their exiftence^
biitalfo of the contrariefy of tbeirafiion. :I
allude to thofe peridds dF langutor, tndoloio^
or difguft, in which we aire incaf^fale of any
determination, vrhen w6 wi& oa^ thing and
do another s I mean that ftate, or diftemper^
called %^^rj| a ftate to vSiicb idiepeflbns
are fo pecidilurly fubje£k» if in dlis iitoatibn
rwe obferve ou/fdve$, we IhaH appear as divided
into two diftinft beings, of which the firft, or
the rational faculty,- blames every thing done
by thefecond, but has not firength fufficient
cfeAually to fubdue it 5 the fecond, on the
eontrary, being formed of all' the illuiions o£

fenfe

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Ibfife and iiniglnation, conftrainS) and often
overwbdms the firft, and makes us eidier zSt
tontrarjrto our judgement^ or remain inadlive^
tbeugfa dffpofed to adion by our will.

While tike rational £iculty reigns we are
calndy occupied with ourfelves, ouffnoicb, and
iiffitirs. But when the .material principle pre*
irails, we devote ourfelTes with aidour to
dtfipotion, to all the parfutts and paffions it
creates; and are hardly capable of refleding
upon the very objeds by which v^ are fo eiU
grofied. In bodi ibefe ftates we are happy;
m the fanner we command widi iatisfiiAiotH
and iii the l^Xtsc^ we are ftill more pleafed to
lobej* As oidy one of Aefe principles is tbea
in aAioii^«iidadsvritfaoutoppofition from the
otiRr^ we fi»l no internal contfarier|r; our (UiT
appeals to be fimpk, becaiA m experienct
but one irnpuMe. In this unity of aAion
Mnfifts ouf faappineis; far, whenever reafon
cipndemns our paffions, or, ffom the violence
aS our |)affions, we attempt to difcafd reafi»i>
froln thut mimite we ceale to be happy \ the
tinity of our exiftence, in wfaidi coiriifts our
tiunquility, ia deftroyed ; the Internal con*
trariety commences, and the two contending
principles are mantlefted by doubtt, inquieiu^
and remorfe. Of all fiatcs^ diatis the moft

unhappy

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NAtURAL Hirroitr. 59

iuiiu4>P7) in which there two fbvereign powers
of humair nature are both in full motion> and
produce an equilibrium. Then it is man feda
that horrible difguA which leaves no defire but
diat of ceafing to cxift) no power but to eff^
his own d^ru^on> by coolly plugging iota
ItimTelf the weapons of deipair and madne&
What a flate of horror ! in its blsKrkeft colours
k is here preTentsdj but by how many gloomy
Ihades muft it be preceded? all the iituation*
approaching^ an equilibriuot muft necei&rily be
accompanied withmelancholjr^krefiilution^ and
unhappineis* From tfaefe internal coofli^ the
body fuffers ; and from the agitaUons it itndl;r-»
goes languiflies and decays.

The happiiiers. o£ man.confifts in the anily
of his internal eacifteoce. In infancy he^ 19
happy> ibr tbei^ the material principle rulef
alone, and ^s alsnoft continually. ConftiaintSi
temonftrances, and even chaftifeq^ents, zSoEi
not the real happinefs of childrcjo, but are only
accompanied with a momentary forrow, for as
(oon as they find themfclves at liberty they re-
fume all the adlivity and gaiety which the
vivacity and novelty of their fenfations can
give them. If a child was left to bimfelf he
would be co^letely happy, but this happineis
would ceaft;^ and be produ^ve of mifery ever

after i

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^0 .\ buhfon's

after } it is, therefore, heceilary that he fhould:
be .conftraiiied, though it gives him a mo-
mentary .grievaxice, as It is, in fa(St, a prelude ta
ail his future bappiaefs in life.
'" In youth, when the fpiritual principle begins
to ^, and is capable of condu<5ling us, a new
inaterial fenie appears, which affiimes an ab*
folate fway over our faculties, the foul it-
felf feems with pleafure to incline to the im-
petuous paffions which it produces. The ma-
terial principle has, then, more power than
ever, for it not only effacesreafon but perverts
it, and uies>it for its bwn.graidiicatiQn, Wc
only think and s£t to encourage^and to gratify
fonie paffion » and while; this ininYtcati^ lads
we are happy. The. external coi^tradifHons,
and difficulties^ (eem to render the unity of
the interior exiftence ftjllmore firm; they
fortify the paffion, and fill up the languid in-
tcrtals i they call forth our pride, and direS all
our views towards one objedt, all our powers
towards effefting ope end. '
: But this happinefs pafles away as> a dream ;
the charm difappears, difguft enfiies, and a
horrid vacuity of fentiment fucceeds. Hardly,
on roufing from this lethargy, is the foul ca-
pable of diftinguiihing itfelf ; by ilavery it has
loft its ilrcngth, and the habit of commanding;
^ • of

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NATURAL HlftTOEY. 6$

^ tbat ilavcry it xven regrets the privationy
and longs for another mailer, a new objeft of
paffion, which presently diiappears in its turn,
and is followed by another paffion more tranfi-
tory ft ill. Thus excels and difguft fucceed
each other; pleafure flies,' tlie organs decay,
and the material fenfe, inftcad of commanding,
lias no longer ftrpngth to obey. After a youth
like this what is. there left for man? A body ,
enervated, a mind enfeebled, and the inability
to make ufe of either.

It is remarked, that at the middle period of
life men are chiefly fubje£): to thofe languors^
or vapours. At this period we ftill run after
the pleafures of youth, not from an abfolute
propenfity but from habit. In prepcM-tion as
we advance in year& our ability ifor the enjoy-
ment of pleafure decreafes^ and fo often ^re we
humiliated by our own weafcuefe that we can-
not help condemning our ,a<Sl:ion$ and deiires.

Befides, it k at this ^ge that the cares and
folicitudes of iife begin; we then, Whether by
accident or by dioice, aiTume a, certain. cha^
ra£ler, which it is always difgraceful to abandon,
and dangerous to fupport. Full .of pain we
tread between contempt and hatred, two rocks
alike formidable; by the efforts we make to
VOL. V, G avoid

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61

avoid them we weaken our powers, and fink itita^
defpondcncy, for after having experienced the
ifijuftice of mankind we contraft a haWt of
accounting it a neceflkry evil; when we have
^ccuftomed ourfelves to have lefs regard for the
c^inions of the world than for our own repofe^
and when the heart, hardened by the wounds it
Has received, is become infenfiblc, we eafily
attain that ftate of indifference, that indolent
tr^Cnqunity, 6f which, a few years before, we
Ihould have been afhan^cd; Glory, that power-
ful motive of great fouls, which, feen at a dif-
tance, appears aS the-moft defireable objefl,
and excites us to perform great and ufefiil
afiions, lofes its attradions upon a near ap-
proach. Sloth afilimes the place of ambition,
and feems to prefent to us paths leis rugged,
and advantages more fubftantial; bub it is
preceded bydifguft, andfolWwed by difcontent,
that gloomy tyrant of every thinking mind,
againft which wifdom has lefe influence than
folly. '

It is, therefore, from being compofed of two
oppofite principles, th^t man has fo Imuch
trouble to be reconciled widi himfelfj and
hence proceeds his inconftancy, irrefolution,
and languor. Brute animals, on the oontrary,

'whofe

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NATURAL HISTORY. 63 ^

whofe nature is ftmple, and altogether- mate^
rial, experience no interior combats^, no com^
piin(SU9n$> no hqpes, nor any fears.

If we were divefted of memory, i^nder-

.flanding and every faculty belonging to the foul,

tlie niaterial p4M:t alune would remain, whioh

;Conilitutea us 'animals, and we fibould ftill bav,e

wants, (eo&tionf 3 appetites, pain, pleafure, aivl

-^ven pj\flion, for what i$ paffion but a ftrong

fen^tion,^ wbi(^ ni^y tse renewed at every

inftaot i

. But thj(. great cH^quI^. is ,.to - diftinguUh the
^.paStQftS. wli^cKbcloagibkiy to man, from thofe
.whi^lfcr poQefies b Goopuwm with the. biutes.
Js:|t<2^tfiij;^ofipff)1(^^ ^t the latter- ii^ve
pa$9a$l^;|^it no^ oc^ ,^t conti^a^ aUawe4
;that every- paftm 9^ ap ei^ptioii of .die foui-j*
Oughit W6x: t^er^fave^. tp^'^f^afc;^ any 'whor^
clfer^ bv$ ii^ tbSf ipirilMi priocipiei (0^
t\M: k^ oi j^i^: «i>i%. wiibiti^% ^vcuric<%
^nd t>f^ev«ry.Qjfi^fiiiafl5^by \eMrt^ V?»'W*
governed f ^r ;>v.i.:; • • ^'■' ' • ■:" •/•"•'■rt '

To me it appear% :tHat . nc^iiiDg whi^h
£overnsitfaen)iivlform&;uiypar(;of itjt that the
principle of l^pwledge .is^pol; the priocqpk of
^ntjnuei^; t^ttl^ jfecdsof the paiionsisui
our appetites s. that/fllufKai$ K^ed fn>i?i ^uf
ii^nfesi aadrefi(|p jp our imerMl^m^t^iiai iibnfei
G a tiiat

•^4 ■ buffon's

that the mind is* at firft paffive with refpeft to
them 5 that when it countenances them, it
is fubdued, and when it allents to them it is
perverted.

Let us then diftinguifh in the human paf.
fions, the phyfical from the moral ; that is, the
caufe from the effeft. The firfl emotion is in
the internal material Tehfe ; this the mind may
receive, but cannot produce, 'Let us likewife
diftinguifh momentary 'from 'durable temotfons,
and we fhall immediately percejve, that feaf,
horror, rage, love, or raAer the dcfireof' en-
joyment, are fenfadons, which, though iuf>
• rable, depend fblcly on flie Jmpreffioh of o6Je<5b
upon our fenfes, cotnbined with the' riemkiriing
•iiiapreffions of oiir preceding ftn&tionsj ari4
that, of confequence, ^ofe paffions we enjoy
in common 'withthte'bruies. I miltftioh the
aduaJ impreffions of cbjeSis, as* being c6m«
l>ined"wiiA the impreffibii^ that remain of 6u^
fcfrmer fcnfitions, for iieffhei»*ib>rtian norbc«ft,
nothing is horrible, nor attra<aive, when feca
for the firft time. " Of ATs we have pr6of in
young animals, who w31 run into the fire
the firft done it is prefented to them. By
reiterated afts, of which flie impreffions fub*
fift in their internal lenfe, do they alone acquffe
experience s and though tht« expenenCe' H

not

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KATlfaAl:-«ST01lY. 6^-

9&t fixtucal, !It iiliiDticfcikre^iaiid'Isermba:
that: accbunft msam ciimoKfpe^ L.>k.\grbfl|:
noife, a violent motion^ an extraordinarys
figure^ -whlofc. is .ieeacar l^eard fiukbnljs and
tor the Hvi^ .timc^ prckiu^es in die animal a*
fiaoci:: of w^hf:lhe> effefl ia .fiinilar, to tbe^
firft iniKenient^ of ffbaii'^ But^ this .fontcmentf
is only. ieftaalaneDus ; t fiiBJ a^it! cakinbt bt^ cdf)w
Vui^ with' an^ fircoeding (onbixon^: ta k muflf
€On^amci(te ta the ammal a. tianfitdry vibra<#
tioo, and nota (hcrabia emotion^ fqch ai the
Ipafian^of^ftavfiQi^oiesli :
.. A.^PQuagi^ndpaabeful ^tenant of the fo^
wbojbcU«Kil)^heai^]tisc£s)ix)d6the^h^^ .

faorn^ QrrthKJDe|]bBt-:tof » g^nyleape, bbuudi)
and flies off, bj^itheXole* violence, ti the (Kock
. which, it has experienced; Yet, if this noiGi
ia ivithouteffqSbdud cia6s^ th^ianittia) diftin-
goiiiii^ tSe wonsM fii^nce'of -^latere, ,cem«-
poifea itfeif, haha, kild' iietu^ns to i<% tranquil
•cetrtatv ' JBiit age and^ ^xj^ri^hde, render it
fiicumipe^ and~ do^, • iinil ' having been
jKoundedafter a^paiticular nc^tb,- tb( &nfa.tioil
^ pfdnlis: ntataed. \n lUointfernal '4n(e, an!
Hrikdih thfefiMiieuBbi£B ihaUt be ag^ -h^i^' it is
ditoeieed^ rbkhbin^ei .itfelf !i«ich ^ ^e a£luaX
9giMtQJ)> aad^ prodeccs a pexansiv^t paffion,. a
': G J ' reaj

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TeaII»r;'thraiuiiisQ Bitevndi ^ its migh^
sod frc^uendy narer -Tetunift to. m. uftial
abode. , :

EeaT) thdv is a paffion of ^idi hmter ani*
mals are fufceptiUe^ though the/ Save noty
Uke UB, rational, or ferdeen appreben&ns^
Of horror, rage, knd Joice, th^ are alfo ftt&
ceptible; buti^ey have-not ooir averiIon%
founded on refie&to% our.dtirable hatreds, op
our conftant iirieiidibips* Thde paiEdns^ in
brutes, imply ,no knowledge, n& ideas, and
are founded folely on the es^riems of i feiti-f
meot^ or repietlti<ms of: pain and plfsafume, ^'and
the renovation, of preceediag fenlatt<»is :df:thc
fame -kind* Fury^ or natucal cotirage^ is^ rei
markable in anunals which, have eioperienced
and afcertaii^ed their Arengthy and found it
Aiperiorto othtsrs^fear is tbe^ p<»tioir.of the
.weak, but lov^ belongs ita- alli Loyel thoui
innate defireij thou foul .<^ jushire ! . thou in^^
exhauftible prin€;iple pi; exiftence ! thou fbreo
reign power, by whiqh. civegf. thing breathes^
and every thiiig :is renewed. I ithou divine
ilame! thoU.. feed of; perpetuity ^infufisdi by: die
.A]pfiigbty;.|i\to all which has the brendi of li&l
thou precious &ntimeht by which 9lon& the
nioiL fayage and frozen hearts are foftened {
. thou

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tiiott Xrflrjcaofe of all happmefe^ of *aD Ibciety \
tfioa fcftile fputce of rrqry pleafure^ of every
cblighr! Lov^ ! Wby doft diou oooftituts the
felicity of every other being, and brix^ miiery.
idcnetoinan?

The reafon is obvious* Confidered in a
jibyiiod ijaife, dris paffion is good; in a mcval
oine^ it i&j attended with every evil. In what
does -die morality of love confift ? In vanity f
vanity in the pleafure of conqueft, an crroi
Wbich proceeds, from our putdngtoo high a
value upon'it ; die vanify of defiring exdufivfi
pofleffion, of which jealoof^) a paffion fo baie
that we. are afliamed to own it, is thexonftant
attendant ; vanity in the very mode of enjoy-
ing, or evep. relinquifbing the objed of out
ddiresj if the wiib of feparation'originates with
ouiielves ; but i^ inftead of foriaking, we are
f6r(aken by the beloved obje^i, the humilia«>
tioa i^ dreadful I and the diicovery we. have
been: duped and deceived, not unoften hurries
us into .deipair. • * . . »

Erom ail theie miferies brutes are-Wree.
.They ^ek notito iobtain ^deafiire, ^ where it is
not to- be. found: .guided by>ientiment' alone,
they'are> mirer decaived^ia 4heif choice ; their
idefires are. always priiponLotied to their power
of gratification ittiey fed as much as they ea«

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lA ' BDWCBfffi i *

Jb]f, ana&B not^ tb yacy or;ant1cqAte:AoinL'
But Man, in ftriYiiig^to Byveot |ilea6ioeJ «d1jI»
deprasfes natatre:; ih ftruggliiig to cieatb fetttW
ment, he perverts the intention of. hb beings
and creates in his heart a vacuimv HBkidi HGb
ihing can iafceewards fill. . / r r^'

: Every thing good in Imrei bqlngs Itoi':^
brutes as well as to many atideifien.the]9^ ^s^-tf
tfiifc fentinlieiit fcooid never be pan^: (deat'tB
jbave* a (in^il portion of- jealbufy.- Anioiig us^
ihis palQion always im^diesifocne iStftruft of our4h
ieives^ fiupe'-diftatit) jtnixirledgQ 4ȣ our Wic
wealcneiS) wk)le bv^ted. are ' never ..je^ioua bo|.
ki proportion to^ their ftmigtb, asdour fer^ imd
prppenfity to pleafiire^ The reafoa is,, that
vur jealeuiy^ depend^ on our ideas, and th^rt
en fentitivent.' Havii^.once enjoyed, they de^
iir^to enjoy agatn^; imd feeling their ftr^xigdi^.
tiiey drive away a)) that would^* o^cxify^Aeir
pkcre. Their jealoufy U 'WJtibbar tedoQiosi^
they tiiraitnotagainil the oHje& 06 iimt love 1
of their pleafures alone are theyjealpus* . : . .;
. But are fmitnala. confined merely .to tfaofe
paiBofifi ime ,h«y«e'd(fcribeii? / jAsc fbo-, ragd^
hoxitu-v love^.an^ jesdoufjA> .diei/clilyL dito-sMe
ftSeflio^ they ai^ tcapable- of exporicncipg^l
To mf it appear^ tb^iadependest: of the(e
paffiooa whicii ari& £r^ tteic natural ^clings,.

they.

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NATURAL HISTORY, 69

•they have others, which are communicated to
them' by example, imitation, and habit. They
have a kind of friendihi^, pride, and ambition,
and though we may be convinced, that in all
their operations there is neither refledlion nor
.thought^ yet, ^s-all (ietr habits /eem* to imply
fbme degree of [intelligence, 'and to^ form the
lhade*i)etwcen themra!id*man,ittequires^ in a
pecaliar manner, our ftiri^ examination. '

Is there any thing exceeds the attachment of
'die^g to its ms&^r^l On ih.e grave that con-
tained his doft teis ttii$ aflifAal teeim kndi^ td
i)reathe its laft/ .Bilt^ (Avilhout quoting pro^
digies, 'or ^bi^s) witfiF i*hat iidelify does hi
«Cc^piMilyi''ifoliow,' -and defend his- maftcr!
•AVith;M)at6^emifi'docs hcfolicitliis careflesi
-Withi what docility does he obey Kim ! With
:wlat patience ddels Ke 'fuffer his bad humours^
and bis frequently unjuft corrcftibns ! WltH
what, mildh^ and humility ddei he endeavour
to; be reftot«d tb'^fivWlrl cWhat demotion and
anxiety does he exprcfe when his matter h abi
fentl'and what joy when he returns !—Fr(Mn
all diefe circumftances is it poffible not to
dtftingui(h true mailed of frieiidfhip? Even
among 'the Hum^' fpecies is' it cxpreflcd in
thara<a^r8 of fuperior energy f

This

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70 BUFFON^S

This frtendfliip is the fame as that of a: ^
male for her favourite bird, or of a child for its
play*thing. Both are equally blind and void of
refle£tion; that of the arums^ is more natwraly
fines it is founded on neceffity^ while that of
the ocber is only aa Mpid aojulement, in
•which the mind in no degree partakes^ Theft
cbildiih habits fvibfift qiefc^y by iitteoefs, aoU
are more or left ftrong it tfae brain ii moco Qf
Ub vacant*

. Real friendihipi Iioweviery fuppofesLthe power
^ refiff^fMii'it i^oC atl atuditaents tbemdk
sifQsiAiypf Qoaai ^ t^e^ ooEy onfi bjrwhich he
ia iV>t dej^|sidc<^^ Fxfeiida|iprfl^im:fW)m,re^(bl^
idone^ . It is tb» mifd of ^ Ini^^ wb^we
love, aAd ti»^iQve a mindr it i^-neee^^ t<^ ha^
one, and tp have ms^ vfe of i^ in th^ attiuf>-
ment of iptelUgeji^ce,. and :ii( c^mparifig (far
f^eji^nifdit; €d differ^ -minda^ % filiekiit
ihlpy thcA) 4io|: ooly k incited t)ie prini?ipl^«iC
J^wledgCj:b\tf ^jfttHa.wfeftte^^ afiufld
fxercife of that principl^^ • f !' ' » ':

Thus, while friendftlp bfctengs fdely to
{nan, attacbn)ent:.may be pofl^iled by animals;
^ fentiment aloim is^ ftfficjefit'fo^at^cb them
to p^rfon^ wh^mthex often fe?, and by whooi^
they are fed and i}puri^4* The at^hme^

of

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NATURAt HISTORY Jt

of females to their youitg is produced by the
trouble tfiey have had in carrying them in the
womb, and'in -prodacing and giving them fuck.
T^ atnwig birds, fome males fe6m''to have an
attachment to their young/ and to take care of
the females while they are fitting, it is becaufc
they have been employed in the conftfu6lion
rf the neft, and continue to enjoy pleafure
with ibtrr females long after impregnation.
Among other anrmals, with whom the feafon
of love is fhiort, that elatjfrfed, the male is no
longer attached to jthe female; where there k
no neft, no employment, in which they may be
mutually engaged,- thre fethcrs, like thofe of
Sparta, have no c^ for their progeny.

The pride and ambition of animals proceed
from their natural courage j that is, from their
fcnfe of their ftrength, agility. Sec* Large ones
hold the fmall in defiance, and feem to contemn
their infukJng audacity. This courage may
alfo be improved by inftrudion, . for, reafon
alone excepted, of every thing are brute ani-
mals fufireptible. In general they will learn to
perform the fame aflion a thoufand times ; to
do wWibirt intermiiSon what diey did by in-
tervals 5 to continue for a length of time what
Aey at firft ended in a moment; to do cheer-
fully what at firft was die cflfeft of force 5 to

do

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do by habit ^Hbiatrthey once 'have cjone by.
chance \ and to pe^iprfn of- thenafelvies ivhat;
thej have fe^n done by odier^. Of aU the
operations c^.tbe animal, machine; imij^tWu js
the moft admirable, .It^js, its mcjft.fi^lic^p^ndj
moft extenfive mobile, and exl^ibits ^the trueft;
copy of thought, and thougji.the caufe of it,.,
ip animals, is altogether material, .yet by its,
effetSb our wonder is .excited. Menijn^yrer
more admire an ape than when th^.fee it
irnitatc.the aji^ions of men, Ifi fa^ it^is .not.
eafy to diflin^iuih {qnie .copied Irpm fot^e^
originals. Befides, there^ are fo few? ,who c^n '
dillindly perceive the ,diiFerenipc between a
reality and a cQunlerfeit^ that to the bulk of
m^kind an ape mufl always exdte aftpnifh-
ment. ...

Though apes have the art of imitating the
a^lif^s of men, they are not a degree fuperror
to other brutes, who all, more or lefs, poffefs
the talent oif imitatijDn.^ In moft animals this
talent is confined to the imitation of their own
ipccies; but the ape, though ^be belongs not
to the human fpecies, copies .many of our ac-
tions; and this he is enabled to do from his
organization being fomewhat fimilar. So.nearly,
indeed, do they fometimes carry the refem--
blance that many l^aye ignprantly afcribed that

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NATURAL HISTORY. 73

to genius and ioitslligence wluch is nothing
but a grofs affinity of figvre and oi^anization.
It is from the relations of motion that a dog
karns the habits of its mafter, from the rela-
tions ^of figure that the ape counterfeits the
geftures of a man, and, from the relations of
organization) that one bird repeats airs of mufic.
and another imitates fpeech, which forms the
greateft external difference between man and
man, as between man and other animals^ flnce
lai^uage in fome 'indicates a fup^rior und^-
fian<&)g and an enlightened mind, inK:)thers it
barely difcovers a cooflifion of borrowed ideas,
and, in the idioti or the parro<;> it indicates the
hB: degree of flupidity, plainly ihewing their
incapacity for refle£tion, although they ma/
poflcis every necefl&ry organ for expreffing
what pailes within*

With eikfe^iay it bje rendered apparent, that
imiti^onis^a mete meohanical tffcHy of which
the pelrfe^ion d€j)ends on the vivacity with
which ifae internal material fenfe receives the
impreffion -of obje<9:s, ' and on the facility of
exfureffing them by ^e ilmilltude and the flexi*
bility of the exterior organs. Perfons whofe
fen&s are ^eHcate and eafily agitated, whofe
members are active and obedient,* make the
beft adoi:s> the beft ^imic% the beft apesi
vpL.. V ' H Children

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74 BUP#oN*a

Children, without perceiving it, imftate the*
habits, gefhires, arid manners, of thoft they
live with ; thejr have alfo a great propenfity to
repeat, and to counterfeit' every thlhg they
fiear and fee. ' Young "perforis wlioYee nothing
but by the corporeal eye, are wonderfully rea-
dy in perceiving ridlculotfs^objcas: every
fantaftic form aflffefts^ - * every teprefentadon*
ftrikes, every novelty tnoves- theni. The im'*
preflion is fo ftrong, that they relate thehi with
tranfport and copy them widi fitcility and
grace. In a fuperior degree tfo'*ftey chjoy the
talent of imitation," A^ich'*^i4)^ofes -the moft
perfect organization^ and t6^ Which nothing is
more oppofite than a largo portfon' of good
fenfe.

Thu?, among men, thofe who ref!e<a' leaft
are, the moft expert at imitation ; and therefore
it is not furprifing,' that we meet witMt! in ani-
malsy'who^have no refle£Hon. Thefe' ouglft
to poflefs it in a higher degree of perftftion,
becaufe they have 'nothirfg within* them to
CQunteraft it ; no principle by whiCh they may
have the defire to be different from each other.
Among men,, it is from the mind'tliat proceeds
the diverfity of onr charafters, anilhe variety
of our aflions, , Brut? animals, 'by having no
mind, have not fiiaty^^ which U^thh principal
'- ' of

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NATURAL HXrrORT. 75

oF the differeace, the. caJUfe which conftitutet
the individual. Of .necefitty, then> when their
organization is fiinilu^ or they are of the
fame fpecbs, they ^nmft copy each olher, do the
feme things in the iame manner, and imitatr
each odier vnidi a greater degree of perfeflion
&an one* man can imitate another. This ta^
lent fbr imitation, therefore, far from imply<^
ing that antmata have diought and reflection,
isaproofdiat they are abfolutely deftitute of
both.

For die &me feafon it is, that the education
of animals, Sioiigh ibort, is always attended
with fooceib. Almoft every thing the parent
knows Aey -qi^ickly learn by imitation. The
yourtg-are moddlcfd by the old : they perceive
the la(tt«»approa<Jh or Jy, when they hear cer-
tain IbOild^^ When they fee certain objeas, or
fcaM c«Hsten odours j at firft they approach of
fly without any determinative caufe whatet'cr,
tet fmifAiHilS arid^ftowards they approach or
fly of thentfrives, in confequence of their ha-
lving acquired a habit of doirig fo whenever they
feel the feme fenfittions.

Having compared matti with the brute ani-'

ftial, takei^ individually, let us no^ compare

them "togedier colleftively, and endeavour at

the fame time to afcertain the fource of tha^

H 2 kind

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76 BUFFON^S

kind of induilry vifhAdi we obierire in certaiit
fpecics of animal, and thoie even the meaneft
and the moil: numerous. For this induftry,
what encomiums htYc not been beflowed on
particular infeiSs. The wildoai and tatcnts of
the bee, obfervers fpeak of wilh admiration;
they are (aid to poflels an art peculiar to them-
ielves, that of perfeft governments A bee*
hive they add is a pepuUic, in. which the la*
bour of ^h indlvidital is devoted lo the pub-
lic good, in ^ich every thing is otxiered, dis-
tributed, and Oiared, widi a fcMiefigblv afi equity,
and a. prudence^ which is really aftofufhing.
Thcr government and poticy of Alliens itfd^
were npt more exemplary. But I ibould ne-
ver have done^ were I barply to ikip over the
annals of this cot^monwealch, and to draw^
from the hiflory of this infed):, all the incidents
which have excited the aditiiration cfits <fifie«
rent hiftorisins.

^Iiatcanwe ^nk. of thetexcefr to which
the ek)giums on this animal h^e beea earned ;
ai{(iong other great qualities they are &id to
poSj^fs the moft pure republican principles, an,
ardent love for their country, a difinterefted
affiduity in labouring for the public good,, the
ftrickeft econ(Mny> the moft perfeft geometry
and elegant arcbitedlure., Notwlthftanding

thcfc

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iTAitrftAL HJsro^r* 77

4iefe eUlogieS) a b«e Oug^t to hold no greater
T9nk in the eflm^tioii of^a ofttufalift than it
does in nature i .a^d, it| the eye of reafony thi»
marvdlouft^ rZBii fo - 4xn»ds«exloUed republic,
will aev^ bstgnfrdiMi; more tfaanamiildtad^
of fmatt ^^abmahi «Hlich.fhare no ^iffiniiy to mea
but that of fumfking :him whh wax and
hon^. ..

Let pto(^ examine >wtth attentkxi thefa* Iit«
da ntand^urres^ ptdoMkigaj and toih; Jet
dnm d«(brihe tJoMy thdr generation, their
multif^icAiioft) - thirir aie^anior{]jiofts^ 0oc>^
Thei^ ar e 9bjt£b wdrtky of the attsmion )of.
a( tUitttrsdiA ; 4)ut tO' hear the morale of infeifts
cried Up hifi inTuil^ble'; and I atn> Mtf con«
vinided^' ttet. by a. ftiiSI aJKt iMionaL obfei^er
it woiiid be ifonnd^ liiat the origin: and fupef'*
ftm&Bce of thb v«Moto won&rfri tal^ti d&'
crib(idtobet», arife^ frotn^fte mother bee pro-*^
ducing io>OQO individuals at one tiine^ and iiy^
the latiie pla^^ arhkb rieceffiarily «bKges> th^vh
to arrange theffafi^es^in^ibihe order forthetf^Oi*'^
ierta66il of their cexKlence« la not Nature fit&
iicientiy aftwH&tng of herf^f^ widMUt atteit^t^i^
ing 16 ronler her more fo, and withottt attri-.
buting toiler mtractek ^Mchr have no ettftence
but in oar oWn^magfttKtioft ^ l^r not the Criia-^
tor fuftcJerttly g tidat by hisl wtirks j a»d dti wt»
H 3 beliive

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7 J bufp6h*»

believe we can render him more (b hjevaf
weaknefs? This, were Aeft a poffibility^
wouM be the way W debafe him. ^ Who, 'Ii»
efk&y has ^ moft e^tdd idt» of >di» 8u^
preme Being, be who beholds tim crcfltie Ae

. univek^fe, arrange ev^ cflciAencc^ aaA<^ahlifli
nature to invariaUe and perpetuaL Jaws; of'
he i(irho fees hiih attettcive ia coodufting a ts^
public rfinfedb?

Certain animals iwite into focie^k% wfafkh'
feem to depend on the choice ^ [thofo fbat.
compofe them, ,and wfaich,^ of oonfe'cpience,.
has in it a far greater degree (^intelligeivce and
deAgn, than die fociety^f bees^ of which the

. foie principle is, phyfical neceffity. Elephants,,
beavers, apes, and man; other fpecies of aoi!-
mals, aflemble together in bodies, affiil,. and.
drfend each oCh^. Did wenotfb often difturb*
thefe focieties> and eoitld we obferve them with,
as much eafe as thoie of the bees,, we fhould,.
doabdefs, meet with a Qiultitude of other- won^
ders; which ftiU, however, would amount to-
nothing more tkin fo many phyfical relations..
A great number of animals, of the £une fpe*
cies being aflbobled in the (ame place, there
will 'neceiTariiy refuit a certain arrangement,
and a certain oider of common 'habits. Now
every common habit^ far from having en*

lightened

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NATURAL HrsTORT. JT^

l^ghtqied intelligence for its caufe^ implies no*
thing more than. 9* blindL^imi^tiom

Amcmg m^Kh foQMy flepends Ids on fky{i»
cid ageeememi^ithanc^ moral mbtionsl , Man
>4it. fif!ft nv^red bi^ ^i!eogth> tus weaknefs,
hjsigaorttice.imd ^ i^o&tfi be fek tfaaty
of Uaa&If^ he amid not iktisfy the mulu^icity
of ills Dtiiapt»|.]ie.:cli&:oir«r^ ^ advantage Jle
ihould have in fociety; he refleded oa the
idea of gopd.an^^euU, .he.epgcayed it in his
faear^.hyj^ie^l^t^ of the natural h'gh^ com*
imwcaled to him^thsoug^ the \>ounxy of the
Cre»^ ;. he &w that folicude w»( a ibite of
daj^e^y and of warfare j be fought for fecurity
^n^.peace m focijstys, there he augmented his
pow^r itnd. M^iwledge by uniting them with
thofe p{ o^&iH and this union is the nphkft
ui^heeifer.inade o£ bis rea&Mru S<ddjr.from
governing himfelf) and Submitting to the laws
ofibcielty, it is man'commands the univ^fe^

Everything has oonctn^sed to tender man a
iqoial being; for, thcn^ krge and civilixed
focieties depend ontheufe^la^ fometimes on
the abiife of reafo% yet tfaey were- doubdefs,
precccded by finaller fociceics^. whofe fole de-
pendance was on nature^ A family is a natural
ibciety, which is more per«an««;,,and better
founded) becaufi^ Aw wants and fources of

atuch-

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80» BUFF0N^4

attachoiimt^ are more nuj^ierous. Tdt.^fffttnt
is man from olAier ahiiti^ : .\Kbea h^ i9: botf^
he hkrdly exifte; naked^ fftM^^ incap^e.of
aaion, bis Hfe'depends oathf ^ftftj|m;eJ|e rie>»
ceivcs. This ,ftate <tf iafe^tioe. wcab|csffiw
^ontintm for i^ hnsfh c( tipn^i; a^^thfs/m-:
ceffitjr of 'fiffii(bnce becoo^.air l^i^ wfaicb^
sdtiike i« fiftfficientxorpr^^dttc^ aa4ttacbca«nt ib^
tw^ft tbe thHd. aod ^ent... Ii^ pcoporttottj^ji
the child ^vaiice% he is e;iabted,to^ do wichopjt
affiftanqe$ the.affQ(3:ioii.of the I^Lrei^qonlji^^
while that of the. child daily decr^afes^^.aiid..
thus lov» «vcr tieTcefKbin aiiiuah ftropger^d^^
gnee than tt afcends ^ the attachment o£ thi^ pa-^^.t
vents becimu excoffivcy blhid, idQiaJ^9^ ^
wbik d»t,of die. cfaild renuuaacpld vju;si i%v
diflfereat, till^ by the influence of. P^atctif,
the firad of gradtude has bsgan . to ^ tafeo^

Thw fadetjr, cMfidefed ev« ill Ae l%ht
•f afingle fimify^ lirppoftsiA it^n the laoiky
^f fea(c»t>; amoi^ antinab which.fettft to unte
togetiier frcelj', suad hy mutual «^reemei% ftw
ciety fu]9ofes experience and fentkn^nci 00i
among infe9» iivi^ m^ like tho bee% afl^-.,
ble together involimtarity, and ^thouldefigtt ^
•fociety . imxplm noAitig^ mA Irhateve^ m^y be
the efiefiv of fudi^attMa^^ tYiimt^

they

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KATUHAL HISTORY. St

they were neither forefecn, nor conceived by
thofe that execute them, and that they depend
-folely on the univerfal laws of mechanifbi^
eftibWhcd by the Creator.

Let the panegyrifts.of infe£b fay what they
will in their favour, thofe aninials which, in
figure, and organia^on, bear die jEhongeft re-
iemblance to man, muft iHU be acknowledged
fuperior to all others, with reipeA to internal
qualities; an(^ though they differ (torn tt|ofe of
man, diougfa, as we have evinced, diey^ are
noelting but the tiK^, exsercife, experience^
and feeUng, ftill are diey, ih a high degree,
fuperior to inie£b. As in evo'y thing that
exiils in nature thete is a ibiuie, a icale may be
eftabliflied for det^rminiflg the degrees of the
intrinfic qualities of each animal^' by whicfay
when oppofed with the matc^al'part of man^
we ihall find the preference due to the ape, the
do]g, the etephant, and, in different degrees, to
all the other quadrupeds. Next to them will
rank the cetaceous animals, which, like the
quadrupeds^ have flefli and. blood, and, likq
them, are viviparous* In the third clafs will
be the birds, becaufe they differ more from
man than either the quadrupeds, or the ceta*
ceous ammds y and, where it not that there ^fe
beings whioh^ like the oyiter and the pdypus^

feem

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9t iUFFOMt

feem to differ from bim as much as it is po&
fible; the infe^b would occupy the lowed: claft
of animated beings.

But if animals are deititufie of &11 under**
ftanding, all memcHryy^and all intelligence $ if
all their faculties depend on their fenfet, and are
confined to their ea^rience^^ ^whence proceeds
that forefigbt we renutdc ia&vera(lt>f th^m?
By fentimem alone ca)i d^ be prompted to
provide -in the fummer provifions iiificientfar
dieir fubfiftente during wimer. 2>oes not th»
fuppofea ^omparifon of-feafcns, a- rational itu
quietude conceming their iuairefiipport? Wh^
fhould birds, build Hefts^if they did not fcM#
€hat they fliould have octafion for them tx> 4e^
fKrfit €b6ir eggs, and lo teaSc tlMr young f .

Adihitting the truth of ^ft, and maay odiar
circumftances which might be produced { ti*
fnitting diat th6y ai^ To* matiy prooft of J)t^
fentiment, of forefigh^ and e^en a knOi;s4edgt
of futurity, in animals, muft it follow, on that
Account, that they are intelligent beings ? Were
this the cafe their intelltgeiice would far.fiit|Mife
our own, for our forefight is always conjec-
tural. Our notions, wiA refped^ to futurity^
Sire, at beft, doubtful ; and all the light we have
' is founded on probabilities of future things.
Brute aAimalsj then, who fee At future vnA

certainty^

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MATURAI^ HISTORY. $3

certaini]^ fince Aey detennine before hand,
and are never deceived, muft have within
them a prihdple of knowledge greatly fuperior
to man, muft have a foul, far more pene«
trative ^nd acute, ar confequence, which, I prC't
fiime, iscquaHyr^ttgnahtto peligion and to

' B^^fli^ iisbdiigence fimilar to that of man it
impeftUe thift brutes can have, any certaht
knowledge of ;iial!urityy fihce, in that re^pedlf
Usi ideas .ate 4dw8]ps inr^perli^, and fiiU of
dddb^ ' • Then wh^ < om fttth flight grotmdsy
inf^ them wWi a quality fo ftiAIime<? Why,
Wiiheiit neceffl^v degradd thd httman ipe^iesK
Is* it not tm^afenabie to attribute their fource
ta me^hanieal^laws^ efts^fted,' Iftre di iho
oAeiF laws of? Nature-, by the Will of 'tho
Creator, The certainty -wjtfr whi'eh brute*
are'ifippofcd- to 'aft,"and be detfefmffted, rtiigbl
alone convince- tis,tha6 every- fhiiig they (*t(
is merely mechafhfcal. The cffdmial charac«^
teriffiis of reafeii ircj doubt, dcliberatiorf, and
fcothparifonj bdt motions ^^nd-acfttmis, which
afiiiounce nothing but decifion -and certainty^
extitWt^ at once a- proof of- lAcchantfm and
ftupidity. -

Pfevioifs, hoxfrevcr'j to -tfie'fulPadmiffion of
Ufefe ailerted'faftsi which iccm to^lcSen thofe
'■ ■ i ' ideas

dbyGoogte

84 - buffon's

uleasweou^ttonamdaaa of tiie power and
will of our ^vtne.CreatoFt iMigfat weraot to
enquire whedier they leadiy^eadfl^ or laara{vAr
cient ground to fuf^xn-t the fuppaficsoa t The
boafted forefight of ants m oclksBmf^tSb^
nan^e for the wi^spr is anendetil wof^ fince
it has been found that daring that tofim'itbtffi
remain in a torpid ftate i theesforey tkis^pMsMld^
ed forefight^ fu^pdfes diem to pMi^iidrtl»t
whkh it muft a]fehtv^HifiiBRied'4l^mwaidd
be entirely unneeef&rjr ? k n^^dle ifaifttfon
tiiat tiiey enjoy their fedd yri^ motie^qaM^ md
tranquility in their fixed refide^e^ aleiie M&^
cient fo account for ^tr com^yhig thither
more than they can poiBbly make v^^i The
latae'^pplie^ to bee^^ ccikftiag .f|i4fe.^:^V4^
and Koney than their neeeffides reqti^t^ Ddes
not this evince they are adluated by^Iki^ and
not inteDigence, efpedally if we refleft thatif it
fiTocecded framYormer experience, that wouW
teach them to decKiwfuch unneceflary labour?
which {o far from being the c^ th^ conftimie
tocxtradl wax and heney as longf^ tliere ^ a
(ucceffion of freih flowers, and were it pof-
fibie to continue that tiheix bbours vcmid never
ceafe. ' ' ,

Fidd*niice have a)fo been inflanced, whoie
abodes are generally divided^ in one hole, they

depoiiC

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NATURAL HISTOHY. 85

cl^ofit their jroimg, and fii.the odier their food,
the latter o£ ^nUcb^ they eqaSsandy £11 ; bat
here it fbovid i»f obfenced tiut when they pro-
yiide tb^eapMtaie»ts (or theaafelves* the latter
a»alwa|P«.^fiodtt» just iijhi^y £uid a large hole
nodor ateii wJwA they ciio^ for (heir abodes
tbejrfiUiiMit iMil.a && whtojb renders it clear
thqpjMii^ :ii»tfi^iga{ice of the Aatoreof their
W«)3tS|rh4M:«|€ gtriMjbty the-Cj^ity of (be place
tfai^^ta foe dfifia&ing 4heir £10^

i^ai)«thei&JMx:a^ loajrbetaced the^^^^
toiddti^pefiil^ a||t^^ to d^ feathered race ;
noc.^ k «ef?eilky,|^ fufyofe the Aln^^l^y^has*
cumiwiivl tin dK^n^anyftrticular lai|ir to. account
ijir diecQoftru£]feiftaf 4Ntr neft. I/Qve *s tha
gi:pri .fatimgor ^t exck^ diem to the .la^^
bci^cius ivodertikyig ^ ;4he Wfic ^d fetnale fee^
% «iq^ ittHibp^)^ jtb(^;Wi4^ to be^^loae^
s^ dieife&|» ieel^^ifM^fiU: ffi;om the .hl^ftlc
W yi g yq Cfgy 5^ Af rKfl^rWi and ^a^vipg
6>iigN^ ^s ii»o# xtbtviife^ft^rt pf a /ore^, ^o^
r<eod<^idt|^|N^jM;j;^ Comfortable they

coIle<3: ftraws, leaves, &c. 0„ipi:i^ ^ CQ^:?
ifiqn^itition,, ^<!rein thej ma; e^^oy^^ein-
(el^ witk-'^gQ^pSt tcju^uilkyl..; jSooie, havr-
evqr,, content themfclves with holes in treesj <)r.
neftsr< they find' which- hjive been* formed by.
othas« But aU thi^ does not prove .3, pre*
YOU v., I fentiment

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t6 BUFFOH'g

ienttment of' future wants, but are rather the
e(Fe6h of feeling and organization. A ■ftrong'
evidence of their tgnw'ance' wiA refpeft ta
ftiturity, nay, even of the Jail, orprefent,
maybe drawn from a hen's^ftot hiWng Ae
power to diftingutfli her 'ow»*from ttie-eggs of
anodiei* bird, and not perceiving* that Wie young
ducks which fhe has hiatdied, bdong not <6 Uer ;
nay, (he will even fit widi the feme iskffidtious
attention upoir chalk eggs, as upofi thofe fM>m
iJi^ich a produce may be- c^)e6led.'' Uddier
do'domeftic poultiymatt ndte, aUidii^h^ilWy
arcconftru£ledbythe wihl dKiffk- and^oSdft^,-
and this moft prbbably'frbniftdingtfcat^bttlHfy
in being fafniliari^ed, Which' the-fetttl- fca^ftr
in a retreat and foKtude. **I?1ie ncfts-'of bfrdsy
ftcrt^ore, in tny opinion,' any^moreHilii *e
cells of bebs, of' the food 'tcJfaftfe^-ttfJflhr
ant and fietd-moufe, cannotT)eattiribtttcd%^ any
particular law J to eadi fpecies^ lifflf *penB litM-
on diofe feelings af ifing from 1»e ^etiihPT^ '
of nature^ zM with wl^h^cvei^r^teittl*^
beinff is endowfed, '' '"• ' ''^ '^ -?

It is' not furprifing ttat nran, -IffctjT'faio^
fo little of hirafelf, Who'foHRequsWtl^ «h-
foands his fcn&tiohs With his idcasi'wKo>fc*i-
perfiiaiy fiftingiiiflies the produ^Sons rf*Ac
mind from &e produce 6f his brMn, AouW

compare

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VATVKAh HISTORY. 9j

compare htmlelf to the brute animals, and ad-
ngjt tfaejonljr, rfiffigfgQcr. bctweco them de^ exubd
on the greater or lefst degree of perfedlion in
the'orgaos; it is not lurpri^ing that he fhould
make tb^^ jreafoniif df toro^ixiei. aod underftandy
in the. fame manner with bimfelf, and that he
ibould attribute ta them .not. Qjdy ^e qualities
which he ha%. but even thde he has^not.
When man, however,, his ogge thoroughly ex-
awned. and analized himielf) he will . difcover
th0 dignity of bis being, he will feel the ex-
iAcncmiot.'hoi fiml;»he.wiU ^^9k t!% jdemean hfe
lwiusCf.taiidjp^wi^;.av.rij3g)e. glance,^ wiH (te
d}^ iofin^s^ diftaniPQ. v^Jmh- tbs. S^eme Being

Qotrsdmi^ knows tiiie j^afii the prefeot^ and
ihefiMim|i.etG(cmi ia: hjijs eicillenK^,; and. in«.
finite! iiHhii^Jtoawk^gp* Mgn^ whoib duration
ttxbiit|Qrai£wu](K>mGf^ l^ceives^but thofe
SBomctUi:. by! a. living and; an imoiOFtal Power
am ttwfiunoaQiBitsjcoinpAfiedi diftinguiihed, and
ftifajBBdi aiuL Thset. Fowec it i» which enables
man to know the pie(ent» jiudge of (he paftt
and forefce the future*. Deprive hiaa of ihi^
c^ine light ^nd. youv de&ee and obfcure his^
^<%9 F^u render him merely aa animal, igno-
Ant of tke paft, without conception of the
ftoone, and bardy afiedaUfi; by the prefent, .
1 2 chap;

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W BUFFOlf's

CH APTIR il.' ''
OF DOMESTIC ANIlilAL9«

Ik/TAN cteuiges the natsral ftal» of anknsds
- hy jforcing them to obey, suid fender iiim
iervice: a -<k>meftic animal is a fla¥e<to our
ainufetnent9^d|»efaitions. Thefrequmtabtifea
he fuflfers, and the forting hiiti Avni his natu*
nd lno€ler<rf^'>Firing, make great' alterations in
his iriahners Had temper, iirtiile the wild ani-
mal, fubjeftto nature alone, kix»i^ no odier
laws than thde of apfifetite and iibertf. The
hlftorj of a wild animal is- con&ied to a few
fy&s drawn from fimple nature ; but the hifto*
xy of a domeftic animal is complicated with all
the artful means ufed. to tame and fubdiie his
native wiMnefs : and being una<U|uainted how &r
cxamplie, conftraint, or cuflom, may influence
animals, and change their motions, determina*
tions^ and inclinacipns, the defignof the natu^

ralift;

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VATVRA& KttTOIir. fy

iimdift ooght to be to diflai^guifh Adk faS^
wbicb depesd on infttri£(» from thofe whtcb are
«wttig to tteir fAode of edocattoii; fo afeer*
tain what apj^ertains to them frata what thcy»
have acqaired;^ t9.%arate wbt b AMhual ft«
them frem wiMt thejr are made to do^ aact
Jierer to coaibofid the aatmal witb tbe flave^
Ae bealt of burden widi tltt ctcaliire of God.
The eflipwe whieb man baa over asknals k
an em^te ^9tadx revolution cannot overthrow i
h 19 Ae ampife of tlie fpiiit OTcr matter; »
vighe of ^cmMit^ a powor founded on^unaitcr-^
aMe jfenVSy a gifto( Gody^by which^mas mj^
abftH tmc9^4Ubera4ieexcdlieiice of Ua beings
forhe does not (ule An^ becaufii.i9e \t dm
ttoft perfe^^ftfoagell>.or themoftikxtnMiaof
anknais. If he was only> the: firftrafik^of tbe
fime orier, tb6 others would imite to dispute
the «mphre witb btniy but it k from- the Sun
fietioritjp -«f * hk- natwe that nnn reigfta aoit
cenEBanddi be tlunks^ and for this .ipeafen k
Mdker Olivet beiiigis .that iai^ incapabietpf .tbilikir
fagk lie 9&i§m «ver matc»ai bodkys ji>eqaiiie
thqr^an only oppefe to hk wilia fuUen feiji&«
ance) or an inAexible ftiipidity^^ whi^b h^e f ari
4dwa]tt'<iver€ome„ by n^kmg them a£l ^gainfi:
oaftb -Oliler. rfikis mafter of thf; vi^^ubfe
«reatio% :^faic2^- by -bk ioduflxy b^ can augr
1 3 ment^

d by Google

90 bufponV

xncnt, dittiiniflij fciiew, multiply, or dc^oyt.
He mabtatns a fup^iority. met brutes, becasiio?
like them he not only has iiioCikMi^«ad ^eniiitiaa*.
butpofiefies Jilfb the lI^of.ireafonpgarqEiis*
his anions, cbnoerts'his^operatkins,. aod.oirer-^
eooies force by cunnisigj'.aiid {wiftix^hy^.ferr-
fcyemacB. Neverthek($^£xiiongjaninttlsi$aa^
appear \ familiar,^ otbecs- iavage ^id. ferocioust
If we compare the doeiltl^; aad ffrtuDiiSpa <^
the dog. mth the cruelty iifid:'>&rockjra of tha
tigpr, the otievwill' appear to bis the; ftiend: of
many the: onhs^ his enemy zvhis empere, jiiBiit.
over suHmais is not^abfi^ute.:' Maoy^ ipecies
can^eicape hi» power -by the ivpdiQr^ ..thdc^
flighty by tbeoUcuri^ of their retreats^and bjt
the elements, they inhabit. Qther& cfcapehltn .
from their mimttenefe, while other%, who^iax:.-
from. jefpe^king their fovereIgn,.o[>enly attack
him. . Befsdes l&efe,.be i&inftilted by the ili^gf
of inliei^ poifooous bites of ferpents, and^
tdzed.with many other unclean,. troubleibaieb*
and ufelefe cr eatar«^ that feem only to eooft to
hrm a (bade between good, and eW],i and to^
make man comprehend how little refpe<3^ric
his iail has made him» ' '

But vitt* ytmA diftingttiiL the empke of God
frt>m the domain of man: God, the creator of
all beings, i^ the fok matter of nature»^ Man

has

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fkas no inAuence on the umverfey die motiens

•f the heavenlf bodi«$». nor the revolutioiis of

the ^obe whichvjb& /inhabits s over .animals^

vegetaUeS).oriBifieral3» he. has no geoesal do«

lEitnion^ he can do nothing with* fpedies, hia

power (v^f'^xtends to individuds;'<ibr fpeciea

in genecdy and matter tn.the grofi,, belong to^

0r rather eanftkii^e .nature*. All things pais

away> foUaiyV' Succeed, decays or are renewed^

by an: irrefifiiUe powmc> JVf an^ dragged, on bj

flieitcH-rent of tim^, cannot prolong kia exift*

encei his body being linked to noatter, he is

^rced to.fubmit to the.univerfal law;, he obeys

the fame fovrpti^ said,^ke ail* the rofl^ comes

into tho world, grows to maturity,, and dies.

But the divine ray. with which . man is

animated ennjobles and raifes him above all other

material beings,. This fpiriCual fubftance, far

from bdng fubjc£k to matter,, haa the power of

•making it ob^y}. and though: it cannot con»-

madd ail. Nature it preiides over particular

beings: God^.th^fde fpuroe. of. all light and

underftanding, rules t)ie..univ^e md the^fpcdii^

with. infinite powi^r $ awi^.wljiQ.poilefles only a

ray of this fpiritual fubftance, ha% a pow^

limited to finall portig<}s of inatt«r and in^

diyiduals«.

-..It

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It H by the talent of the maiy tben, and iio€^
hy (atctj and the otlier qcRji^ of matter, that
man kas been enabled to ^bdue ani^tfals. Iii
the 6xik ages they were all equally tndependent^^^
man, afor he beoame guilty and ferod&us, was
▼ery unfit to deprive them of liberty. Before
ke CQWld apptoocbi ltnow> txKdce cboice ef, and
tame tfaem> k was^necefT^ that be fbouid be
civflized hcmfel^ to know h(rw to inftrud and
command ; and tiio empire ovtr anioials) like
every c^dttr empire^ was net fdunded till afisf
fcdety was inftituted.

It is froA Ibddty that maivderiires his powtr^
liKxit that he perfect kis r^afon^ exercifes hi^
genius, and tMites his fti^ength. Previous to
the mffon of fbciety mdn was peiiiaps the moib
iavs^e^ and the teaft &MrmidaMe of all ereacures;,
nakedy delencdd% and with<m£ &el«»r, the
earth to him was only a vaft defert peofricd
wjth monft^H of which he frequently becait^s
die prey ^ and even loi% afcer^ hiftosy informa
nsy xhM the firft heroes were Ofdy the de*-
firoyers of wiki bea(b..

But when the hufi^»i race ifiultipli^^ and
%re9id OVtir the eardi> and when,^ by the aid of
the aits ^and f^iety, fif»an was able t6 conquea?
the imiverfe, he^ by degrees, leflened-fke num^

ber

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(f^^-^

Digitized by VjOOQ IC

jr>^.^^ Af S^r^Ja^lkn

\jliiS^'i

3itized by Google

KATLRAL HISTORY. ^J

1)er oF ferocious beafts, he purged tfce earth 6f
thofe gigantic anhnds of which* we foirtctimes
'ftill find the eaormous bones ; he deftroyed, or
reduced to a fmalt number every hurtful and
voracious fpecies; he oppofed one animal to
smother, ainl conquered fome by fraud, others
by force J and attacking them by every rational
method he arrived at the means of fafety, and
has eftabH&ed-an empire ^htch is only bounded
by inacceffible firfitudes, burmBg finds,, frozen
mountains, and obicure caverns, which now
ferve as retreats for the fmall number of
Ipecies <rf* ferocious animals that remains.

THE horsb;

TH£ noljlefl: cpncyieft evef made by man
over the \irut,e. creation, is the reduction of this
.f|Nrited and haughty animal, (^. x8J which
Ibares with him the fatigues of )^ar, and the
glory of vi6bry. Equally, intrepid as his
0Uifter, the horie fees the danger, and encoun>
ters deaths with, brayery i inipiced at. the daih

o£

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94 buffok's

t)f annS) he levies it^ and. parfues the eneinjr
with tb€ ifluae ardour and reioUition. He feeU
pleafureaUo Uifd^ochace^ a»d in tournaments;
in the caujcfe btt is aU fire}, but equally tra^ble
aa ooDcageoua, be does not give way- to his im-
petuofity, aad knows how ta check his jiacuraf
and fttry- temper. He not only fubouts.to tbt
arm which guides hin^'hutl^^B™^ ^^ confiik the
defires of his .ridcsr } and) always obedient to
jhe iiiiprei&om he receives, lie preiiss oni or
ftops, at bis rider's pleaTure* The borle> is a
preaeure which renounces^is very bein§ for^tiae
fervicepi: mao, whofe will be even knows* ho«r
to anticipate) and execute by the promptitude
of his movements ; be gives himfeU up with-^

yond his firengtl)^ and often dies fooner thaa
difobcy*

Sufh is the hor&b whole talents and natural
qualities art has ii^ggroved, ajpd who widi care
has been tutored for the fervice of man ; his-
cilu«atii>n cdmrnences^ wi^ the lol^ of bk li-
htttjj and is iini&ed by eoi^aint The flswei^
iOr ferviCiMle of the hoife is to umverTal^ and
io^ aiuuent) ijhat we rafely fee him in his nMt^
td ftate« Tbcpf aire idways covered witfe hamefc
wfaeft at vvotk, and are hot V(4ioily free from thek
batids eve&ac die time of reft.^ If tliey arefome-

times.

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VATU1&AL HISTORY. ^f

IBVS (tdtereito nmge itidieMiili) dieydwajrt
War about .them .otarks/ 4^. fitmtude, tad
frapwdj. the ntennl itaintiffioni of la»
faoar.aiid.of pancithenidnth it dofomied by
the wtmkles ocoiionBd by the Uti tfatt fidct
fearred niritb sraands> iM fliA ed r by.'the <piiri and
^.faoo& are picrcid wttkna3s* The ^titiide
a£dic.bady caaftrained bjttke.iv^MWffioii ef
habttftal iiackle% icon iMricb they would
he iiidmiied' in vfiH, as they ^f^uld not
kit mute atcilibeny. ' Sveii' tM(e wh^fe Aivei^
iA the mcdk' geittle, viho Atsrmly fed-HHd-l^xtBlGc

^thUin^tidy'fi^irve^ '^^sfy Ihe^ vMi^df «heir
mtAcilfi 4te ^9'f!liore^ftK>h6ikfed by the de*
gj^iee dftheififrapplngSi amihy^lh^pbats of dieir
iimi^ )#iinrby the keti^fbotst on their ktt

Nature is mere beautiful than art, aii3 in' an
«tiMitM»%dttg:, ^he fif^^eden^ of- k^ eio^^lfiiemt
nttdedl^Weldftenee^nfoiPe ^^'OU^r^ Che

horKe M Spaiilfil ''AtsfeiH<faV wKitl^ha4i%'lAttl(i*
plied^^ f^ and liv^^ in fteedemts ^heinenotioAs
ftem nddier cotlftmined nor regdlaij proud
of their iiictepeftdcince^ fliey fly ^the ptefeflife
efmany arid diiHkm his care;' li^ejifieekaAd^nd
fix* thefi^i(dhr^ proper aotlrillimertt i thl^ "AMk
derandttkip abdut in immefife mettdbw^, ¥/tM9
Ibey feed 1M th^ frdh produ^aons^W perpetual

fyring.

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9^ BUfFOH'S

out any otkerOiritic tkw a ii»M.%, tbcy
iMleaife a pvitrM dnailtofevUdiaKccin-
fiaad .m vatiliod fwibeek . fisMt wUr IiMcs
«i».iAmBgery f«iftM% wd mom mmfmMt^ma
die 0Rattfir piirt <iCA)iii6ftkaiM»9:.thqifrlii^
flimgth and oobknefit. tke.g^ oEnaCum^
while tbe oikenham »Uk£i andgmecftilaBft,
.wUohualLthitflitoHkg^e* .

Tke «atiml difpofitM of . viikl toffin is
aot fi^rocioiiS) tey ape ^a^d^r itigb-^fpiiiti^
and ii«M- Tiioiig|i f^periorja.ftrangib t^
ths. ffFfaD^. p0fft of anutpOi^tbii; jftvimsm
MacktheoAi and if attacke4.^:Oibff%f.tbey
eiAar.4iifibi|i 4e«i as fee% and % out of 4ieU-
m9» or fcve. a £ual Mow wi^ tbw lieels*
Thqy. units tb^m&lves in. tn^opf) saerdjr ^
tbe pl^u^e of bebg togQ^ip^.. for ^y. faive

nQu«:ifl«nuBi|ts thejf have j^e enqugl) to fxl^j

the fl^ of ^ouls, Aty nt^cr m^Jtc :yiw:
vosk dlienH poriiirith ^etnfeliTes.- They a^ver
^)iarrfl/at)out their food, they have no ocqUIoa
tolraviAij^i^y fromeaph other, the ordinary
iburce .of xront^don and quarrels among xar-
nivorotts afifinals* They live in peace becauie

their

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HATUMiL HIMDKr, ff

dieir appettet aiv Imj^e ;aai «0d0rftle> ittir

4nloOT^ and ftrsQgib b)F tajr eAer fign 4blft
emobtMKi. They :«n4e<iiNMr ^ be
in tbe cqi^ ^ti^nims^ ^ hran
in cii»0uig a rk^or feap&ig a diteih ; ind Ihoib
wi^A tii HMe jBtfmsA^exsftJfo -Ice ifa^^
ample, it has ofien -beeir^bfenred, vtei re^
du«ed.to^a,ddbeftie#^ ait dietiaoftgriMMB^
docie».aiid gentle '

Several ancient aoduMi^wfeiaf mU hotfm^
Hetoiotm (sLfs; ikaHi M the banks of tke-Hf'^
ptaiGBf tn^)«famy there werfe wM borTes quite
whits^ aad^ that th .^wl. lioirdKm ^ pafti «f
Tkrpcc^ beyond tbe DwaiSiyei dieve waw
p&ers coverai ivtdi tair^Sve ihidhes Ulags.
AraftMle ailb cite Sjffiar *Pliiiy tbe^ aohliieni
cotxntriea ; Strabo, die Alp9 and - Sp^«r j at-
placea where wild hemes' were td*be foand*
AtDOiig> Ae nnxlems. Garden nfeiiti6fi» the
fame thtn^ of Scodatx) and the 'Orkneys;
Ol2ex39.'9S Mafc(xrjri Dapper, of ^ the ifliSr «>f
Cyprus, .wbicJi,.as he &y$, contained vfviA
horfes very beautilUy of. great Arcngtb ai«d
vot. V. K fwiftnefsi

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98 SVFFOM'f

fiviftnefr; Struts) of tibe IIU of May^ one of
the Cape de Verds^ vriiere to found wild
Jntiesvery fmadk Leo the Africia aK> re-
lates, tfat^th cre wete wild borfes in tbetteferts
«f ArBbiai and Lybiair • and ke affiires us, diat
lie* Aw in the rehioteft para of Nvmidta, a
whiteck^ with it curled mane. ' Marmol con--
firtBB tins faSti aliemn|, tbar wild horfes are
fi»xnd in the defeitS' of And)is and' Lybia,
favdl) and of an 'aflM:dloar4 others vAntt^
whoft ttianesaod coatsrare &ort and rough;
and dm neithw ;dpgs. nor tame faoHes can
ei|naitiiem.in firttaieft^ we read aUb, in i^t^
. Lettres £difianteS| that in Giuna^dwc a^ w^
.fapdSbs^ a vdyjfinalifize. ? . >;

Asiabnoft aUpactsof .Eitropeaie dtpeebnt
-peopled^ and eqtudly iidiabitedi wBd harfes «re
) QA'bn^ Jfound dxeseiiL Thofe in America
' erlginater .from, fiocopean. tame* horfesy trani^
spoiled thither b]rthe,£]>amards ;. and have m^il-
.itipIM-4^onfidi9jh)y io.liid vaftrddects of. this
toovntr^ Tb^ aftomftanent and: fear which
ifae inhabitanKs of Mexico and Pent expn a fl cd
. «t•^the^fig^ 'Of bodes wd. their rhters^ia a
i^rong pi^runqjtion that this amnud was e]\«
tively mnknown in ^tkt new woiid; The fipa*
eiaids famed tfaiAer a great nunaberitt well
fixribsiticQ^ai W^ropagstt the bitedw They

left

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NATURAL HISTORY. 99

left diem on many Uhnds, and men let the«i
loofe oa^tbe eonttnonv wheie they have mtil^
ttplied dike other miU anjnuils. M. la Sidltf*
in i68S) faw, » the northern parts of America^
near th^'Baf. fitf St» I^^iSf whQ}e troops of
thefe.borfes {ceding in the j>afturesi which
were fo-wUd) ths^ n«A>iie oouM approaci^ tbtoi*
The aodior of the Hifl^yof the BucaoiefSi
hjsy <^ That in die iflaod of St. Domingo,
hot fes are fomedaies £bea in troops of» 500^ aH
jn^nnia^ togedica: ; that when they fce ajnaii^
^y aUik)p$ and d^ one of them will ap«
proach^ to a certain diftanoEy fnortSs takos
fl^hty and^is iiiftandj foUmred by all the
reft." He adds, ^ that be does not kmw
wfaether diefe horfes, by becoming wild» have
degeneratedor not^ but that he did not tUnk
than (b bandfeme as tbofit d Spaixtf though
dsoy are delcended fi»ni the iame breed. They
have (condaues. he) large, heads and limbs*
and their ears. and necks are alio long.; the
inhabitants eaiily tame them, and aAerwaid$
fiirce diam to wodc« To catch them, naofes
made - of ropes are fpnead in places where diey
firequent^but if they ace.cau^t by; the.neck
dief prefendy ftrai^e diemfelres, unlefe aAft*
an(» is Jieac9 they are then £ifieaed by die.body
and legs to. dto tre^^ whidra ibey. arc left for
K 2 two

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two dstys ii4Aoiilf«ttb^ ftdd or dfMc» This
tnperitxm^'w futUl^t t» mate ihtm fame-*
whit tni£bMe>< and in afi«Aetifp»th4ey>bee(me
as linuch Ss as if the)r<1kia^ never beetnit^;
and even^ if f^y dtence, Aey regaitt Aei^^
liberty^ they never !iecothe fe agaiit, but ^ow
tlMur AiiRei'S) dfld 'vifKt tncinRives^ to be i*^
taken mtboiit trouble*

This proves flM korfes>r45naferrdy'g€sitIe;
and diipdM t& lie ftiiiHkHr w{#r man; they
nerer fedt to quit the ^abodes of fnen to re^
cover Aeir Hbertyln the fbrefts } * on the doni^'
ttwfy they (hew great anxttfty to rcMmtdffl^
dd habitatioii^ where, peihi^'th«y^fuidb0t
Marie fo^ ri^ys th^ &bc^ juid ^eneifMy
Ihcsafiired out to thear wMr t iptrfn^ hiQfd(
wiftbiit <SoAu(feriii|p fli6 weligdt'' w (Mtf
ii[ypenfes* OiiRbm,^ however, lerv^ theAi M
Ben of yifftit Aef itsfi by ilavery. Whert
worn with ftefgde,' the phce dfrtft is to
|hem*thctnoft daielous j tbey ftnett it at a difr
teice; <ran ' even find it out in the ttMtt of
large town$> ^hd, ■ in every thing*, ftem t»
prefer IKivfery to Hberfjr. The imfttnns to
which^they hare bedi forced to fubmit, become
a fccofnd natUrd to them ; for horfes ^artdoned
in dte-ferefts, hare been known to neigh con-
tinuaHy t6 • ttiafcd themlWves' Wijard,- tt^ galtep
''•*;;}^^ towards

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HATyRAL W^TORV lOI

1* * .

i[>waFdsdiehiima9 voice; and eroo lo. gjsow

depend on th^ir educa|^i^);Whi^ is apeomr
pUfl^d vfith^gauns^^ai^d.^^es ;i|r)i^. mai\ takc9
for no other aoi^ial, sm#Jfor which, h^ is weU
requited by their continu^ii^r/YAce^^t

It-has long bo^^^ culi^mrto ft^swate the
fQ$i$ frofl^ ti^ m^^t^ers jiirh^ fk#»,'&X9.or
feven iBCM^h^ o{di^>.x% j^perifnn^ l^^PfiW^ft
that^ ihof^ wh^ are^^^i^^kkd teaoifiek^^

wHit4>;m;)Wfaifie4 iboner> jdH>^,jtiMgp are
g«pesaltf 6iUer.«i( flefe. Afcjr fij^or.^s^
Qip^tbft tbqf < a|;e .MWnfd i b|^ is, the^; ^jve^j
|ttM|i twic^.a,^j«. ^md a^Uttle bay> of wluch
^tbenqM^Utj^is^ ifK^eafedin.prqppn ^f

advs^e in^i^^ f Theyace kept ii^^he ftable as
long aS:tl»e>ftftekn|U> retai^atiy defire to t^ti^p^
ihetnaresv butwhei^tfai$defirecesirc8,ljbg^r(;iMf«
fenaitogodutjAndlediiopiafturej but^rex^j^
jk tak«D not ta buffer tbetn to gO/,Qutto,par«
tare ftfting s-they muft hare a lit;tle bjoan, land
be made to dank an hour before they arip fuf;*
fcred 10 fptzt^ and ihou)d never, be expofed to
great, ^old or rain* In thi^ winner they.^afs
the firft wiater ; m the Msy following they
K 3 .may

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I04 ^ WTFWilfrf

ihay be permitted to jpiatit ^veiy d^, atf ti
remain out m the fields tifi^Ae dfd of O&Mtn
oliiy ohfer^ng ndt to let didtir ett tte afi^r*
gndrvfof if they are aecuftbfiaed^ tkat delicae^
fh&y w91 grow S^tAsA \ridr i&y^ wHiefa^cni^
however^ to be their principle ibbd during lM
fbbobd winter, togedier in^' hnA mjHii wiA
barley) or oats* wetted. Thcf are hmsl^M in
{his manner^ letting Aem giSa^e kt-Aoiaj
time during winter, and ij^ die nt^-iSh Agi
ring the fammer^ ^ they sHfi fettr yeti^ eU$>
iriien they are tafeen from Aes pafture^, and
teptondryibodb TMs change hi find- reqnilM
feme precantten ; for the ftHt eight day«^ iiief
Aodd hare nothing batftraw^ a^ it x» peeptf.
to admmifter fome vermifuge drinks^ tor dMbo^
Aok Mvortm wfaidr tnay have been^ genei^Med
from indigeftion, and green" food. M. dd
Gaurfault, wbo recommexld^ diis^praAiee, docs
it firom experience; but «t sdl age» and in ^
feafons, the ftofnachs of horfes are fttiffedwitii
a pi:odigious numbed of Worms. 7hfsy ard
alfo found inihe ffomacli of the a& ; and yet
neither of thefc animals are incommoded diere^
by* For thi$ reafoii worms flicsztd not be looked
on a$ an accidental <:ofnplaint caufed by bad di^
geftion and gneen feod, but ratibte as a common

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gcftloff of tfa^ animais.
-Gi^eai attcihtiOa muft be pttk^ ift weaning

not^tw-hbl^ for fesn^ of tDdein^ dtcm tod delw
^«t€ «fid toa fthfibid of the imprefiSon^ of the '
a^i Tjte]!^ imdd frequ^dy^ hdte frefli Iitr«r
and he k«pe vei^ ofeiln, by firoc|ifendy rubbing
tikbi Ayvm wi^ a wi% df fthiw. Bot they
ftcwM not be tied tip or cufrfed tiM they art
nfte dtt»7«ufs' oldy theit ftfia being 'till th«ft
toQji^filkS t# beiiir die comb. The rack artd
manger fihtft not be- «oo high, m the necefity
of rtafir^' their htfads to reaih riieir foodj tMfy
give ft habit of carrying it kt thstt foUdCD^ and

^ WiMi about a year or elgWeenr iMildis 6M,
thdr tials oiight to b^ cut^ as the hak wHl then
grow ftronger ahd thicker. Tmn two yesLvs
xM tbd cote ftottld be {mt with itie hcrfed and
the^fteiales with the marefj wlthdut this pre-
caitdon, the edits would &iigae and enervate
tttemfelved* ♦ At the t^ of three years, or three
years and a half, we may begin to make them
tradable $ they Siould, at firft, have a light eafy
fi^ddle, and wear it two or three hour9 every
day r itey ibc«M alfe be iccaftom^to h^e^
Tluffla bit in their mouthsi and to have their

feet

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feet Itfted up and ftruck, to habituate tbem ta
(hoeing; if defigned for cOach or draught
horfes^ they (hould alfo wear a'^ harnefs* At
firft a cwb- (hould not beuftd ; fiiey may be faeM
by a cavefibnyor leather firap^ ^aivS 'be made to
trot, on even ground, ztid ^di dnlj the
feddle or harnefi on their' bodies ;. and when
they turn eafily, and- willingly foHow the p^ribn
who l(cAds the leftther ftr^,- tit^ tmi^ ride^
ihould mount hiiti and ^mimUagdiri in ^
lame place widioik making.' him inoV^jtiX^Jfe
is four year» dd,. becaufe befi3re th^, ^ge ^
weight of a man overloads him^^^biit 4tifoiir
years he ihould be made to wrfk 61? trA^,^*i
tittle way at ;a time, with the. rider onlu^*b^v
When a coach-horfe is accuftojhcd ta^fe^httit.
cdsj/fae fliouM be paired with ^ horib lAAt Is
thoroughly br6k^, putting on him a bridle %¥Ch
a flrap pafled through it^ till he beglhis to be
ufed tb his duty ;.. afer this the eoachmaflf may
tff tcriaake him draw,, having the affifta^neeof
,a*man topulhhim gently behind, and ei/ttti.'to
give him feme blows, to make him do iti. Ail

• Thu A(krtUn of oyr siuthor will meet with little crtdik
in the prefent day, when daily prad^ce proves they, nftay be
completely tfiined while rifingthfce ^hm^'trid bwre-ibfli.
cient ftttfDgth t9«alQr thr MAs oo Uie:^«^i^. bff^r^ i^y m

foUff

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MATlHtAIi HISTORY. 10$

this ihould l^ d^« before fQfmg kode» bave
fb?r^ecl tb^ir foqc^ t^ wl:^ once they are 6a
gcam .iM^...h^. tbqr. are more vigprouSi k(s
^esfiais^eySi^ss^^^ jdi^ujit to. breaju, ,

{ Ttb6i^^c«il4(,tliie. ^pur^.aire tyro tut^ mado
iiib of to bni^ tb^ Into colder,, the. farmer for
dMir gujdanq^ and tho; Imof tg^ ipakc theoi in-^
creaft; tbrit motion* Tbt iMt«th Uoe^ not apn
r«ar foBaM b^f,ia9im^to.^fimyemy other isn?
inrdEon^ tfMtti ^M ifif . ^^ aod ^wetite;^ bMj(
tfaettiis Xo^fgf&H^a'kD&hlilkym ^ <Bwd> of 4
hofb^ ^tiiin fN^fsferenPiMo ^» ejres and eaf%
«le^lK^ra6^p||fttNl•^to^ ¥Aderft

fiaai wr. picaiiiif^f ttM^.^igMil i90Cion%>0|
prelp[ure of the bit,, is At^QOt t^ iplxpfi^i^
Mmf9i9m h»Qgft^'^mi M^. <«£§» pf iC^ia
bis,9b4odier £mi1i tbaiiics p<rfeAi0iV: Jits top
gIMK TelNlibilii^ i«fuife» i^articubr maolg?^
AMOtf fiir if ir i^ abiifed the month of the ^Oft^
h* fpo«W» and mddwLin&nfiUei to the hh*^
poefiM'^ the biti; tbe/ieafea ^ ftgfet ai^
healing cannot be duUed in tjb» manner 1 bu^
ht all likeUhood it Jias, been fowd.incpov^enief^
to goyern horiet by diefe org^si befiden figna
given tiiem by die ibnfe of feeling have more^
efl*^ on animals in genend ^hah thofe coA»
veyedbjr the ejtts or eaera, The fituation of
the tyts df hnrftst wilb fdmion Jt» thofe iWka,

mount

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io6 ^uffon's

mount or conduft ^eaii is rcry anfevourable;
^d) though they afefreqtt«itl)rccxlidu6lQsd^a»t
animated by the tar, it appears that the ufe of
this organ is Hmited tpcommofi horfi^s, bocadfe
in the nieimge they are felddm-^k^ii tof in
hSt^ V they are wdl broke Aefoudleft preflore
of tht diighs^ or ntoft trifling modc^ of the
btt^ is fufficiont tO'direft themu Hie iporii
even ii£il«f% or at ka^ k is only ma^nfe of
to force dicm to viotent motions $ and as dirough
Ao folly of the rider it tofbni happens, tot id
giving the fpur hedieaksthe. bridle, ihehot^fo
' Hading hfan&lf excited on oneiide, and kept in
on. the .other, ody ptences and Gipei9».witho<il
.ftinrittg out itf bis.plaetw

%^ means of the bricHe horfes' are tm^M
to hold ap: their heads, and keep them in th«
moft gmceful pofidon, and the fmalteft %n e«
inoventent of the rider i» fu^ient to make the
faorfe ifbew alt his diievent paces; the mofir na*»
iural kperh^s.the trot^ but paeing and gallops
iiog i^ tatioite'plafiint for the rider, aod the^ a««
At two paocs^^'wieiKuttcutai'ly endeavour taitn*
pvovedi ' Whea the. ho»(e hits up hts foreJeg^
fd walk^ this motbn: {kould -be per&mied mth.
ipirtt and eafe, and the, knee fuffijciehily bentt.
The kg. lifted up ihould.feem a& if Aifpended
iwr a axomeii^. mi. when kt d^ma the foot

ihouli

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NATUtAL HISTORT %0J

Aould Jie finnlf refted on the ground wtdiout
tbc horfe's head receivi^ jaay impreffion from
ti»8.»ottoiv for when the kg fuddenty Ms
d0Wiv and the jiead finks, at the iame time^ it
is mUsxH'^^a^^ rtbe^ other Icg^ whidi has not
ftrength fo fijpport the whole weight of die
body. This is a ff^tst fiadt, as well asthat of
caciTUig^tfae foot too 6r out or in* We (hould
alfc^ obfern^ tjneit when he re& on his beel it is
a«i>aric:of »m}p9^ Md when herefls on th^
iwtpm ^ JilarJxoof.Jt is A^ti^ittg .and tin*-
giit mta t> att |ta(tedttol he;caiina^ long fappcg^t.
r. Xhdi^ miking is die ^fioweft of all ijiek
pSCfiS) h^Jliep fhould be ligbt^ bci^' and nei^
ther too long nor too ibart $ his Garriage,fhouU
b^^ifyy'^ii^h depends ;nuiGfa eia^e freedom
itf ;i>is fliottidian?)^ and is^known by the majinsT
in which be carries his head in walkfi^$ if he
k<9rps:it high and fteady> he ts^eneraHy. yiga<i>
rp^s^ and quipk, .When the motion of the
ibotilders is . not. free» the leg jdoes net ri&
fOOM^f and the faorib'ia apt to.fluflifaIe» aiod
ilrike.his foot ^ainft. the ^nequaitties on the
ground* Ahorfe fiiouJd raife his (houldersy/atid
lower his haunches, in walking. ; - be fhoeild alfo
dife.and fof^ort his leg; but if lie keeps it up
tQ6 kftgy or ]ets k h)l too Qowly, he loles al]
the advaM^ sxf .fait fyffflms&f becomes

heavy.

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|6t BVPFOI^S

another fi)r:fli«w ttidftttadi;.* /•'* ^^
It is not fiiAdem du^f 'Ml^ ntMtyttt^M^^

both^ behind a^d befer«;'lbfP4r'tt»'«l<tep^«M^
a fwtitgirig'Mocictii MMIft iRJ kltefi r^^vftto
ftotiders, ^ ifder Is i#bi^ j«tM^s»iLdim^
dered unea()^i thteliufietKHt^l^ipensi^lleMlMi
Korfe extebd^M^ <irfid Ieg^'fo*4iib^<i» t<»^1itilf(it
beyoiri the&tne-plr^e'M #MdlP'hiJ rlfl^lkit

tblke them 'a|;ainft ettch "dSi^fV trT^lel^'fitm
Iwted; ingeneRdlMoft^^MMKn)Mi^^ifciigi
ETC Ac mbft "eafy 'fcf -Ae -tfder, ' betteilfi^'lle^ !«
* a greairr diftance frora''*d <wo tfetkrltt df
motion, the ftotildersinitftattr^iMes, 'tifid flKre-
fore lefs fcnfrWe drthe'Jbltih^. • . i» *> »
^ The Ufual methdd'of Walkfng ^bng qua-
drupeds IS to lifti at ihe fame time, one tf the
fore legs of one fide: antf bne o^ tfife'Mnd feg*
©f the other: Aisr dfeiSr fjtefdife are 'ftflSftied
upon four points of 'fiippdh, which forAi ati
<fbTong fquare, the iiS^ manhei* biP moving
for them is to change two at once in the dhgo-
nal, in fuch a manner that the centri^ of gravity
Ibf the b<>dy of the knimal may reft aluv^ays irf
the dirciaion' of the 'two points triixch 'are not

in .

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MATUAAt HIITOHY. IO9

iiimodoii* In tbr three .aatipi^ pfl^e» of the
horfe» the walkt tbt tiefty aitd thf^opi this
rvk^oim^m j» aiwyi obfinrvedi though with
fiMiiot4iAfWCe» la Iberwtdk there are four
bflit9bja.the motmiiiits if the right fore leg
wmm^Atlk die left bind leg follows the inftant
afteejf^ iKeff dM(.lei.iQce leg moves forward ia
t|«iv Md>.U«fiittowed iniUntly by the right
hind l^g I 4hwJhe 'light fore footrcfts on the
gn^wAiirftf the^ left hind foot ncxt» then the
lift fpeo. foot. iceiisy and la^ly, the. right hind
:^t,^FV|i«ho»ialM a-ii^ementof four beats^
ai|dral.4brfc^: i^tervids, of which the iirft and
jhft^pe.Aikrier diea the oiiddle one.^ In the
.trot.|bei« are bm two bes^ ; if the right £bre
Mgi99i^ off die giound die. left hind }^ mqrea
,atM^ '#n^ lifsvei, and tl^en the lejft fore leg
moves at the fame time with the right hiqd
<amf 10 filch a nutfujer, that there are in this
movemep;t only t^o beats and one interval;
the xight fore foot^ and the left hind foot, reft
on th^groiiod at the fiuxiiQ time, as is alfo the
cafe wid} the ]^k fpre foot and the right hind
one. In the ggjl^ fit^^.h u|^ally three beats^
but* as. in this movement there is a kind of
leaping of the two fore l^s^ the right ought to
advance more forward than die lcft> which
ought to regiaia on the ground to ferve as ^
VOL. V. L point

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'4tO ' "WPMH^

point ef^ii^'f^'tteafUdlcfMKjt^ tte

tip cofijofffti)fi wltt'^ left ^feAP>^illldt talk

^r%M fi^ 'leg: «i'' fuMMitaAiMlf / iM^ifkmlffk

^diegikKind; ^M 1^^^ gMSfafi «teft«e lUM
l)eats 2tnd ^t#6 imenPldst in Ihe^fA^tel^^

"iburlegs ir^ f^r ftri i^Mmt|M'tlie'dif«^4llfe
i&nc time, '^jh^ feifr IMSa^ tfnaf^MM.^i}*^
.^ce. 'WheA Ale H(Mb''hit94ut){«^'fi^
^Mtmeh^9, ami moite^tbhEigih^'ilAB'-glfll^^
%e inore'perfea; «d» t)k^>d^dlMt»'i^ Mttb^Bi
43i[it Ifi^es I firft^ Iho feft^1ftlHl«ibo«^ «i« -tte
i?gUt!:fartid jMdti mat the^ left* f^'A^^^ailii,
WHj^jtherightfefe^ft^.' * ♦''^ - ^ - - '••••

%nie tn^Met as they'i&UTf the fbr^ rilkM^fH
HWlkifTg aM trbttmgj thiy^aHb ArwrlSf^^Wfe
Tiiift in- galWjpifife-^firtlf M*A^ ai-f^ Hbife^iS^,
trhich is Vnofe adVaitecd ftan ^fte feft ^ ^nd iflte
t^ght Mndleg^, ^ith'f<IKo«$^ tttttlioiititdy*^
t^gheibre ohe^ Ssulib m6re ladranded tlMh^bo
Kft hWkflcg; froin #ftertC5 if refeksj HteltMSfe

Ibt^cs ilbhwdrtlifc Wicrsj-Wthrmoft iat%ucd ;

for

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|f ATWM HIMTOltr. lit

fir liMb.iM(<Kiitr#CNiU.te ^glu' t» loMt hnrlefe
at ^ey if^uid- thi^begf much iMgtr ^fr vig^>

«^«V^riMri lltHfiMo^p^ iTtoaborr^Miu
fhrtwni QHthii fiiM Igiw; \t it finttfhnr fimltti" thn •

tmirns^mvf MK«ir-iiNn <ki$,ic9fi4i«p%) wd, -

d by Google

1X2 BtrFFOHV t

be'ir^ererfo'flioit^ this reMbwoe i^ftfittiettd
to -mtafce thli^ puce mytt ttne^fytdsm^^t^tMt^ oxt
gilldpin^, ^ • w ' •• •;'' j^ ' .t ^ 4.J :.;

senA pdftffdip^asrt the htliteF^dft^ ^^^lilig of
the hough, txreiks di^'ftfoIiesqElHil'Mfellii^'liM^
fliotkr thus, tttt iMoi^^pKafil'^ftncl-ftraiig^istfe

tt^ii H <hdf» in^tidn itf gftoplrig* • v ^ -t tr ^/

t#t» kgft on '(^ ^fatt!(e-fkle) for exam)^^ the'
fs/ft add'hiftd'teg^ dit the rr^t fide^ pfa^tfMm-
the gtoUnd fiC tto' fijiM -titntfy tttrf afterMunds
^)|iv0Mt 1^' lb tiial^le^difideiordie^KMty
altiNmtitrijr 4s ^Adtt^ rftfsport, wMeh esmnet
£tfl'<tb isitigtif f'ttoa^al very much, being
. - ©bilged

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tt %pfl#. lafeli 'ui^^:fmcA Maim'
hf Ibe t«fii4A9: of ^ iBotioa irhkli is ftwcdf

iHi.fMC^ i«r mi«h iw fa« dqm in bioidc^ or*
wMoi^.ilifel^ lii'^pu^ fiA MMg on hit
ilk KMdift^k only Aimb doioft gnuoitig the
MPtdbf-atrff dMr.qMkbi^^ tkathe i^l

iiriMild $l9pqc«.)iil|AI4 la 4ie anibie, as
Mlkwt«a|#;|a9|»Aei»ai;eM two beais ia
dlfi4mii9n^icw44l, the dWbfSfici is, that in
the trot the t^Iw wM^S^ l^getber ara
fQI>o#|% ii^A 4^^ UttC^inftead of which,
«lM)ip^Q^ Mthe ftfae fid^ gd

4m slia^JAWfi i^kiMd »« ^iol»ng <>f *o tro^
iteMfir k» i|i9bSinl|t», '^ ilRm Isg- jfjjiis at the
)<wMvi#^m^ tW4M«4 1^ 1^ thtf 6me fi^
aiidaBSi *w|wwrtly illiaW ^wMi no ^efiAance in
4hi flMiipo,; AQmimte^^'$/bLti^ us, that
jM|ilb:)V«Wcb fiaiMMV^ troti and

KlN:»<bir>'«^ mn^ w«aktr -lAian ofters wfab
'imit-m^ tliatjiaeei ui^ad^ colts ^oftfn get inb
4hiHWi^ wk^«bj)yasCibrQodtogo:&ft| aad
^Mv'e^ioti^afiijIiskil-ftiiBligtb to ti^t dr gallop;
i«i^^pe-ilifi»i^«44f<%itlii^ «»W ^oodijiarfes,
"-^'* ... -V-.-JU^. '^ '•.-•'• .-when

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114 • MVMJfO»%

when mui^ la^ttHt ptlswiMP^ MKne^i^laiD^
of t]iemlelve$,tp stoibHfig^ r, i „ ( x u .r

We may ihmi Jook .iip^a <^ fs^icf^m p90^
ceeding from^weaOoieft.pr ^eft ii^ut Jhnteaitt'
fiill too other pa^ce^ cs^ted Bi^fil^m Amb^ otor
between the ^laibik,^ ihe.waU^ >M4iitl^
other betw^Q.tb<i,trot,9i|d{the giiSof^ b^tbo^
which are more 4efe£tiv(^ thatirtl^lPc^fn^ht^ aiii
proceed fr^^ ^oat fatigi^ QrvWe9A;^s^i49ili|9 *
loins i Aefe p^e5 lire &e^
almoft woriv-Ottt poft bprfcsv : ,/ .. i :*r.'y^.
The . horfe», o^ . all nuacitmped fc r fptdli iffar
nobleft ftature^ Jus the |;ceat)eft^^pKOBQrtk«l18|||#
elegance in, all itsi. parts* % csqtipaii&g'hM
with thiofe animals v^hicli ai;eiiip9i^rriQ^}iQfe^
xior to him,,, we j^l fee tli^Mjie «(^^l,-^i»dtoi;;
that thp lion has toQ lai£ea^ca$ift l^Jqd of the
ox too thin and fhort^ Ifi prapostiofit^^t^Qof
his body; that die ca(;DeLi$^4efQ^Ile^;W4dk)li^
thofe mp^rotts a|^9l% t)uQ MtiowM^utAAc
elephant^ a^e oierely tufi^.^uiAt{kaftkb wiiSbu
The gfrcat lep^tU of jtbie, jjiws>^ tbe,pfifi«ipil
diiFerenee. bei^eo .th& be^ds of q»94F!i|peds
andthebuinanipecie^i His alfq^.tbi m;^;i|^
noble mark .^f ^1;.. yet^ though .tfa^,)«w .^
the hprfe ai;e.ve|ryjpng»^he,h^s m^ lik^ the
fOs, an,,air of .W^c^^ilityi hqt, ofiftiHpidiigr Uhe

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iktrsau^WMfieg^lMttf of the

parts of hisi heady give hhh atilir of fprightlU
ndB) ^Ml 4s;««^l fot>poitdd by idle beauty of
hk^fMlk.-'^ ¥tt(^ik6n amAmidus of r^Hi^ him*
tt^ aJtove^his^fiftte^^ ^qttadrt^ped, by holding
«K^ Msi-'lleaill ^d^itt ^rHkohiemitade- he Iook»
otsrti'iii Ar6ft0.^ 4J8reye^ areilvefyand large, .
hSi^ «fef>«^ •niAdi^ atid'of i }uft proportion,
^•*aittu# HS^ fliort, fife *ofe of the bull, o^
*>o^^4ite tfeife df Ae ^fe,^ hfs mane orna-
ments his neck, an^giv^ iiifn ah air of ftrengtti
WA f^Jftagej^'-Wis^ong'buihjr tail covers and
^niMltt^ advantag^)ly liie extremities of
iMibddjM' . F» di#cre!it*fw)itithefl3drt tails of
tbe^ftag^ >ele|*knt, &tj ahd the' naked tails of
^4A^'€anM^' fhufbceros, fee. the tail of the
hOifel«1brftfed<)ffongHlifckhair^ vrhich feems
t€P6dme-from {he crupper, 6ecaufi^ the ftump
§f0a^ wlricH'if p6wi hi vety (hort; he can:.
not mfe hls'tiuf like the Ibtl, but it fiiits him
belcer haiij^g <ioh^, as he ckii itiove it ]from
-fil)eito^fid^> and driveiiway the-flifes which in.
CMMtfdehim ; for diough his fkin is very firm,
and weH fiifniflied with a clofe thick coat, itis>
iiot«ritbfbn^g, ortremely fenfible. "^

T>« attStutle^of the bead and nect con*.
*[&^Wb wiore than all the briier parts of ftc
body to give him a noble appearance^ the fu.

pcrior

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'. lienor p«trf-*«J^rtK*4.iBft-iAiA

groit^ ftoHM K9I& MIf So'^ Htmihiiimifm^

9Ky <\iff^ M Ai^iod fliPfltcl to#4Mk Urn
fiwn Aff cSeft tP' Afr B^

pam of 0sit ff^ek Iboultd }i^«i0iy»ii«t^<iiiiiib^

deratfely ornainefMd D^Mi Io«g. i^> Jum iA
haruK^e ch«ft and <MKpnii>teoU W^^

korfe; wbeii it-H Mo bng tftJU tMw tjie>h4rft
«fuatly 'thwws hh hcail bacb^ ai^! '«rh!mttrt«
ibort arvl «e% He puSi« tfe#ii?4i* l*i>*a<*i
/or the head Ito fefc ptae»d <it^'fte?!iefti«alv«o*
tsigeous pogliofi *a .foirt«rf &qi4i<J^ pcv«*
«lic\il»rtothelibri«0»* j •' " ^ ^ ' • *
Tht head flkould be i(^ aad finsH^ mdiiait
b^ng too - long : ' the-^aif^ iit:» asoAarate- *fr
jtftn^ie, Wal, Araight, (li^ 1^ ft**) o«w»«S
^d weU-0accd ^ tiie loprf th^ k*d| das
jforehcad flxoidd .We iui««r,'M»d'* IM«.<soo^
vex5 A^ hoBows oar Ipiic* hMtrottH tte-fcyts
^iidear$, wdt fiUcdi Ib^ Ǥ^ds^.rt*il; tke
ryc« d^n» liKlj> ftftl '.of fic«> -^^ttr ^§^

and

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andprojeatag^ 'tin po^ rither Wga} the
nedier^wihiil; f tl^iic^a Mf^^arqbedi the
ndkiils^ klFgeaiid ' ^qM%^ i«idr idiivMed kj a thia
parAkxir tl)e tipMbilli ^ mouA of »a ^lode-
rate widUti .-the wkhqu •rai^ «k) Q^j^g s the
flMMtMers. flat^ and- nr^t^^^e^tie^i^ tho back
eqiiad, intefiUy aiohed ki%<ih«v|y% ahd^raiied
Meacb^fide^<»it^fcvbtek tniaci, whio^ IhouM
qipeat^ mdciUed ^i 4il^ "^Anld^ MfbU^iaml ibort»
flfe iMi^rburid imdifl#{Iky^ 4hd^^ ureil

coferai'i^fli^iifiiirGdliir fleA^-ihb.' fluo»p of tht

dxHioitgh9Tdii6d%efiEH«»%iiil4y^^ on the itdes i
llte%^sft^iai»ii mi^^oAlt the /<tiock ftxong^
iaik^^iii^viih'^m^'^^ ^Iva^i ^the

^rM%r|^ i^ ^ arMiddtihg. letigiih'} .thii
teymtit mtb^riiii^ ih«^ hoof >U^r i<»OQtb)
and'flliffliig^S 'th<t*ikft^ hi^i die quarters
rouodr ^ hedft'^de^^Md mbderatefy mkdf
the frog fixiall ahdt thixH and the fole ditck and
hoUowt ' ' '- • r /•- .- ' .. ;

Tewrr horfes poflfcfe this aflcmblage of pei^
fedioo } the* eyes . ai^ fvfeb)e6i: to many faults^'
which ftre (ometimes difficult to be k^iowm
In »feuiid eye, w^ ought to- £ec through th<^
coffiea'^two^'Or throer^ts <ef the €ok)vir of •
ibot,tah6ve dhe^:piipU'^ ' for 'to fee thefe (pots,
ihe^ toroea* ^mi^ ^bi^-ctear, cLq^ and . tranf^

parent^

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mdftriiight jpupil, €»cfa^Mifl%d wjtb a,, wbte
ciifclc^ .or .vbea it i\<rf*^ Wu^jg^e^.^lfc^
Ibe eye U ^^fatJMiil j£ 1^ . . ;.;.,.,;,. -
. I fliidliat { |iC«<^m.S>i4x.(i<]d.fi?n)F.X¥aW^ .^

MM^ ^» ipwtt ¥«*!«. jpwa ^«^w jWii

IJUby ;«tl J^ktrll ,thl|ir W%: 4% %« ^:ini!;V#^

Wk% or ott t^/linqj^'.Wqj »4rp^ 4t$i^ !^

have ufually a bad fight y thofe whofe n[)(^j^t|ig
JU^. dry^ are ' nor;pf for, i)Ba]iJ)V % tpn;|feii;aqa^C
9S th^fe which have., t^ir q^i^ 9io*^(^ s|r|d'
piake tjie tjryje fj;9|hj./ iV 4441^ ^^^ «9I|^.
to h^ve ^ /h^.4lctersi^ Xuppjcj^^^d 9<H >^rjt
f^^Os^i 4h§ .dr^t barf%5» :^e /iog^«i^]<^
(bpHl4 :h^e tMm fl2^. rqu^K), a<^ ^i¥^>4 ^*^

-. ' ■''":*"' ■' "" " "" arc

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KATtR At HISTORY. tt^

*are too thin, ari3 the tones fhcw tJiehiielvcs
through the fkiA, It is a defeft which proved
Ac ?h6u!3ers atrc not (rccy and confequently
the horfe cannot tear "ftiuch fatigue. Another
*fautt of a faddle horfe is, to have the chcft
'project too forwarc^ iand the fore legs placed
<too6r backward, fcecaufehe Is Jipt,ihthis cafe,
'^fo reft on the hand in galloping, and eVen to
'ftumble and' fall,; ' The. length of the legs
ihould be prpportionaHe to the height of the
"horfe; when tne fore legs are top long he is
*xi6t furc-footed^ if they are too fiiort, he beai^
too heavy on the hand. It is a' remark that
*mares are more liable than horfes to b;e low
T)eTore,* ana that Hone horfes, in general, have
'thicker neCks tiian mares or geldings.

* Tlie moll: important thing to be known, fs
the age of^ an horfe. As they advance in jearg
the eye-pits cofilmPnly firik, but it is from the
teeth that we obtain the moft certain know-
ledge of their age J of thefe the horfe has 40, 24
grinders, four eye teeth or tufhes, and 12 in-
'tifivc teeth. Mares have no eye teeth, or if
tiiey have them they are very'lhort j it is from
the front and fe^e- teeth alone, we are • enabled
to formi any judgement of tfteFr age. The
ftont teeth Begin to 'Ihew fhemfelvcs a few
^ys after the birtE of the'.forf^ thefe Srft tcett

* arc

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120' BUFFON't

are round, flidrt, apd tiQt very folid-; they drop
out at different times to make room for others*
At two years and a half the four front middle
teeth drop outy two at top and two at bottom ^
a year after four others fall out, one on each
iide of die fuftj which are ahxady r^iauccd.
At four years and a half, four, others drop out^
always on each fide of thoie which have be«a
{hed and replaced s theie four lafl milk teeth
are replaced by ifbur others, which do not grow
near fo iaft as thofe ovriiich replaced the firil:
eight ; and thefe four Iaft . teeth which are
called the wedges, or comer teeth, are thofe by
, which the age of an horib is dtftinguiihed^
theie are eafily known, fmce th^ are the
third, as welt at top as at bottom, beginning
.to count from the middle of the extr^nity
of the jaw; thefe teeth are hollow, and have*|i
l)lack mark in their cavities* At four years and
a half, or five years old, they fcarcely project
beyond the gums, and- their cavides are plainly
feen. At fix years aiMl a half they begin to fill
up, the mark alfo b^ns to diminifli gradually,
till he comes to feven years and a half, or eight
y^rs, when the hollow is^ entirely filled up and
thci)lack mark effaced. After the animal has
attained this pei-fod, it is common to attempt to
judge of his age by the eye-teetli, or tuflre ;

thefe

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NAT&JtAl HISTORY. .121

tbefe.feitr(9eth|i«plac^ at the fide cf thofe
ivhkh me hsore juft deficrilied. NditSaer the
^^^teetb) aor grta4eisi,.are preceded bjrxitbees

u&i3iifrbsg» miibmt at limee yq^ra and a, hal^
^e: t«pD tf.4iA>vupfier7awatlb9 age of fonry
0Dd tSi ibesaeicnaiusHiii y^saes. qid tbajr wsfi nvf
•jGharjxs. vflCJmf ears idd^tbe^Qfip^rooas appear
«lc«e(^Ubnt^jA»QfQ^aad iongi bopaiife tbe.gum
<waif5 cimriir ;«& agft, i^. the Tooce it a^ir
{s^rs^ipoefi aiifsqr,. tbe^miaie ajcd JM^echoti^.
£coflK..iei tii(^ja)£: i>;^(af^ diere^ isvhardiy
fin3r inAiottioa efctfaaaga^wbeii fcrnerf the bails
-on die «]r«4Hroi9s ^^hegin ' to grow- wl^$ but
^s JAdie^Q i$.equi|K<KaIy' ftnce* k has beeft
4roiitar):ed tkitJ&ovfesengeaderod refill old ftab-
liAfls and oU mare&^hibreitbe: ihm wbmoa the
ie)e*49t-o«Di^ h^sthb ageof :i$o tyeaes^ Tbe^ are
^ faorfeawbofe teelb. are &»• hard ihaftbey
ido not laear^mdiitfeA . wfeicii tbe bla^ mark
iSAfifts and ir ^lever^ e£Ke(t$ but ihe(e^ are
icafilj ktiawn by 4lti^ ie|ig|h^«l& iba ^e teethw
We any aio^bneiWyr^tboe^b ^9^ ^^^e^fioo,
tbeage of ^a b^fe hyi theH%9S Ql:tbej palate^
whtdi are qSvoed. in prQfH>#ti^n:>tf^ Im^e,

.%.tiloagefcf <WN or:tW«^*yQaR«r-:a^aha»v
•tbe borfe i&iiiiaiiate to engender^ a^d<aare$)
Mlae.all ..otbuf #nsde% <ir^ ftiU moie f«n^rd j
vot» V. M -- but

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ia2 >^ BUFFON*«

but thefe young hor6s prod^ice otiy feeds ill-
ibaped^ or of bad conftitutiQ^*^ The hotfe
fiiould at lead be four or foitr ye^s and a hsdf
be&ri^ he is admitted to the mtce^ Md even
that is too early, unle& for iAr^tig^ mid; large
borfes* It is neceS^ry ta ^t. tUl dw^ fucdi
year for a fine breed, and the Spanifli ftalllon
fiiould not be. acfanitted. before thetiibventh. The
mar^ imty be a year younger ; .ih^ arc ufually
in feafon from the end of March to the end of
Junci but they ftrer. moil fit to leosive die
male for about fifteen days or three weeJcs, and
this, is the beft period: for admitting diem to
theftaUion. He fhould be cho&n with care,
bandfome, wdl made, vigorous^ perfefiiy found,
and of a good breed. To have faandfome
iaddktfaor&s, foreign ftallions, as > ArE^iait,
fTurldfli, 39rbary, and Andaiufianlior&s, «it&
pxkfctMsi,tQ all odiers s and . e<fen, notwitfa*
fianding<; their faults, the Ei^lifh horfes may be
fu£ate(sfally made ufe o^ beraufe they canie
otigiEtiially:^.from the above*mentioneds,'and are
lu^ much.degtoeialsed ; the food being excdient
in Englamif where they, are alfo very carefiil
in.kee{iing up the- breed. The ftallions of
luij^ id^ially thofe of Naples, are veiy good,
and produce . bandfome £uldlc-hodes^ whoi
coupled with welUihafied .mu^j and fine

coach-

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NATURAL HISTORYt 123

coach-horfe^ when with mares of* a large
ftature. It is pretended, that in France^ Eng-
land, &c the' Arabian and Barbary horftt
ufually beget borfes larger thain themfelves, and
that theSiiantfli hoifts produce a fntaUer breed.
To have fasindfome coach^horfes we ihoutd
make tife of ^ Neapolitan and Daniih ftailions,
or thofe from Holftein or Friadand. The
ftallions ihoiiid be iiiH 14 hands ^d a half
high foe fodcfie^horfes, and fifteen hands for
ceadi^horfes ; a flaltion ihotdd idfo have a good
coaty fahick' as jet^ or of a fine gi«y, bay, er
che&ait. ' Ail udiich feem in-their colour as if
tfaejr were waflied- or ^kcdoured ihould be
hanidioifi^dm th&broed, as well as thofe which
haveuwrlttte -extremities* fiefides.dsefeexterioCi
aifli^ian 4houhl alio have rtfae beft-.tnterion^
^pialittes^Toch' as. courage, docility,. fpiriti and
agiIitt^s\feBfibility in the mouthy ficeedom inthis
ihotddes&; he ihotdd' he fttre;£90(al9 fupple m
the faatuMiheSy and have a (]^mg* in the whole
body, butabove all in hts^ hind i^, aiidihaiiid
hsare been well Inroke and^tnutied* Thefe pai>^
ticttlars it is the more neceilary to obferve ia
the choice of a XlalUon^ becanfe It hgs been ro*
marked) that he commuaicam by gen^ation
almoft all.his good and bad qualities) both na«
tural md ao^uised* A horfoj naturally morofe^
Ma gloomy,

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124 BUiPon's'

ibmc di^afition; aod as the dc:fe6i$ of <:oa*
formaticm^ as well as^.the vic«s of th$ lnini(^ttrs»
perpetuate with ftill; mota c^rt^jkil)^^ ttiaa the
BStoraliqasAhias,* gcbttcsureltwdsA: be fiaken
to exduxie' froair.ifae. wbole flud;dU'.(fefofin^
viciouS) , gbtndeiedy brokenf^wiocled^ or SMod
horfes. - . •

In thsfe dimates the in»e. coalribulss lets
than (be ftaUion to die jbeauty of thefeai^ibut
llie contributes peite^ moneto his ietnpdf^
ment aad f^^m^ tlnis it k rmctBktf Ast Jtbe
aoaree fttouM be ftrong and iarge bodioi^ aael
|:9o4 mrfes) in osder to breed beantiM ^kotirel
TiK Sptttiifli ind IttiUalt masea «ne prdfemd
far an elegant faittdl^ and dnife of. £ogfaiiadiicc
dmu^iand coach badku .. The f»aQ:s< faf wik

horfes, provided tfasjr are tbemfebts well nade^
of a good breed, and iuBVefiOfac ftaUioos; £00
If dnejrare 'e^gfeodeKd ftom a bad 4iode. tiie
foals whtcfa«ft»ey procliioe mik fretluently prove
ddc£kive» Ii> lAik Ip^m of amtmls) as iMdi
as in ^ human race^ ^e young frcquendy re*
femble ^eir male -or female ance{k)r&$ only it
appears, that in horfb^ the female 'does not con-
tribute fo much to gttiaration as in the hmmaft
fpecieS) whero the fon oftener refembles the

mother

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NATURAL HISTORY* 125

mother than tiw feal does the mare; and ^en
the foal refembles the mare, which has pro*
duced it, it is ufiialiy in the fore parts vof the
body, as the h^ and neck.
. To judge well (^ the rdemblance of chtldren
to their parents, the comparifon ihould not be
made in their youth; we ought to^wiit till they
are arrived at puberty;, for there happens at
Ais period (b fuddeo a change of die parts that
it majr be poffible to miftake, at the firft glance
of the eye, a perfon v^pm we have known per-
tsGtij well before that period, but have not
leen iince. Till after puberty, then, we ought
not . to compare the- child mth its parents, if we
vondd'i^dge accurately of the refembiahce, as
then the fon fiequently refemUes his father, and
the daughter her mother, aiid freopiently the
ddd lefembles both at once. Sometimes chil-
dr«a ydemble the gtand^&thers or grapd-mo*
thers, and even uncles and aunts« Almoftal^^
ways children of the iame parents are like- each
other, and; all have fome:'f8a|ify4likcnef8* . In
hories, as the male contributes jbot^ to genau«»
tioD than the female, mares fre^p/imciy pcoduce
colts which arc/very like the ftalUon, or which
always refemble their father more than then:
mother; and when the brood-mare has hcrfdf
been begot by a bad borfe, it fre^piently hap-
M 3 pens

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126 BVfVOII^f

penstto^ thott^flie bsd a bautifa{ ibifk>ft;
ftfid is hiindlba»e berUft OieQaM yet prodvce
a&al'Wbicfa, howerer in appejo^nee handfeme
and wdl made in itd early yottth^ li e g m cnites
as it grow4 okkr ; i^le a weHMtn^ mare pro-
duces foals, whick' though at firft &ty hitve an
vn&voucable app(Banme6^ grow htandfomer as
they advance in age.

Tbefe ob&rviiti<H)s wUdi hem all-to eoncur
in proving that in horfes the. male has greater
influence than the female on their progeny^ do
not appear fiiffi<2ieAt to eftabliih this fihft in>an
indifputable manneiv It is not impoffible, but
that theft ofaferVations may liibfifty ^atid yet in
general the'mafc may contribute as much as the
trorfe to the produ6llon of their iffue; €ot it is
not aftoni(hing that ftallion^, always riiofenout
of a great number, generally brought from wanA
climates, high-fed, kept and managed with great
care, ihould <have the fway in generadon over
common^ maiies, bred in a told climate^ and
frequet^dy obitgtd to labour. But if theibesiu*
tiful mares of warm countries were fefeAed'Oiit,
manag^ with equal care, and covered by cbm-
smon horfes of ouf own country, I think there
t:annot be a doubt but the femblance of the fe-
males wOuld be foperior to die males^ and that
among horfes> as well as in the human fpecies^

there

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NATUHAt RISTOItr. ttj

tinrt w(nsdd te an equality (n the Itdluence of
Uie maid aft4 &mat« in ih«ir young, iiij^fing
a fimihritj in 4lie acoorthnt cbtumftances*
This appears natufkl, and the ihore pfobaWe,
as it has hten remarked tn ftuds that an equal
nmnber of tntit srftd fettiale foals are bred)
which fMTOfves dw^ at ieaft a^ far as regards the.
fex, the femaJe has equal inAuence. '

Mares aregeneraHy ill *af<Jn^nine days after
their delivery, when the hoffe ought to be
taken to themi in the ctoice of which attention
ihould be' paW to his figure being. peffeS in
ftofe parts wherein Ac mare^ may be deficient
The breed of horfes,'at leaft fech as are hand*,
fome, require an infinite degree of cam and 4kt^
tenticn, and is accompanied with confideitlble
cxpence*^ The mares and fdals (hould be kept
in rkh indbfures,,and if alternately graced by
o^eh and horfes it will be an advantage, as the
former conftantly repairs Ae injuries done by
diektter; each of Aefe inclofiifes (hould con^
tain a pond, which is preferable to a run-
ning ftream, and be alfo provided with trees to
fliekcr them from the beat of the fun; when,
however, the winter feafon commences they
ftould be tafcca into the liable and be well fup^
plied with hay.

The

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128. * llCFrON^9

The flalliob .ihould always be kept in* the
houfe; he (hould be fed wtlh more ftraw than
hay, and*4e moderately exercifed until the
feafon for covering, when^he fliould' be fed
plentifully, though widi nothing bot common
food. If managed with proper care be may
be led to 15 or 18 mares with fuccefe m the
courfe of the (eafon, Vhich, as v^e before ob:-
ferved, continues from the end of March to
the end of June. ,

It has been remarked, that Audsffituatedja
dry and light tountries, produce aftive, fwift,
and vigorous horfes, with nervous legs, and
firong hoofs, while thofe ivhich are bred in
damp places, and in fat pafturage, hare
genei^lly large heavy heads, thick legs, ibft
hoofs, ^nd, flat feet* This difference arifes
from the climate and food, which may be eoSily
.anderftood; but, what is more difficult to.
comprehend, and efiential to be known,- tS) the
neceffity of always croifing, or mixing the
breed of horfes to prevent their degendrating«
There la in nature a general prototype of
each fpecies, from which each individual is
modelled, but which f^ms in procreation to be
debafed, or improved, according to its circum*
ftances, infomuch^ that in relajion t?o certain "

qu^ities,

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' NATUftAli HMTO&Y. I29

qualities,. th^.:ia » ibai^e. .^«riff$y in the«ap*
pearance of iadividuials, and^ at the iame time,
sVL cf>nfl9at r«femblance in ^e whole ^[)ecies.
The &ft 9mml} the firft hoiic,,^^: example,
haift been the exterior an4 iaterior model, from
which aU horfrs^thathavis exifted, or (hail exift,
have been forined i but this model, of which
wtt are cnljr acquainted whh copies, may have
fi^lei^ 0^ OF. arrived M grea^e^^ periedion, by
multiplying and communicating .its form. The
original foj^miubfifta emi» in each indivl4ual}
bat thojbigb: there are miUions of individuals,
jH |io two cj^afliy rdfeivble each otbex, nor,
conleqifendf, the modtl from which they are
^ran^. This diffinrenoe, tufcicfa -proves how
£«r NdSi»e ia fcom-Mtking any thing abfoktely.
peofeffc, end bow well file tm^w^ how to fbade
her works, is eota^y the fame in ^ human
fpncies, ia «U animak, and in aH vegetables ;
and, what is- fiagubr, the model of what is
handlbiae and exceUcnt 16 difperfed through all
pljPts oC tbe «arcli, and that in each climaee-
there is a portioa thereol^ ivfaich perpetually
degenerates,. imlefs united wkh another por-
tion taken from a diftant country ; b that to
have good corn, beautiful flowers, &c. it is ne-^
odlary to change the feeds, and that they never
ibould be fowa in the lame ground where they

grew.

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130 buffdn's

grew. To have fine horfes, dogs^ &c» it is
proper for the males and females to be of dif»
ferent countries. Withoutl this beiag att^tsbd
to, corn, flowers, and anisi»ls^ mlld^eneratey
- or rarher take ij^ firing a tta&ure^l thse'dioiatle:
as to deform.. and baQiardisie thQ.^cte&;'ii^
form remains, but disfigured in all the Ikies
which are not eflbntial thereto;- b/ mixing, on
the comrary, the kinds, and, aboVe atl» %•
croiFing their breed with foreign fpecies, their
forms feem to become more perf^v

I fhall not here enter into^ the caufes of tbefe
effe£ls, but indicate the co£|)e6lures which
readily prcfsnt themfcl ves* We : fenorWi firom
experience that , animals or vegetaUes . tranf^N:
planted froi^ a diftan^ clim^ frequently dege4c
ner^ti^ and fom^mes are improved in a ihort:
time. It is eafy to conceive, that this e&^is
prodqiced by the difference of the climate and :
food^ The ipflj^ence of thfefe two caufes n|uit
at length rendei; :thejle animals exemptirom, m.
fufceptihle of^ certiain afi<^ipcis or certain di£»
orders i titieir. , jteinperament muft gradually
changei, ^confe^^ently their forai,: which de*.
pends partly on tb^ fpodand die quality of the
bumpurf, iijuft ,^Vo, change in Aeyr pfogeir^^
This changq is indeed almoft.iQsip^r.ceptihl^iil^
the firft generations. beq9(it& t^er^ijE^Q ^^

female.

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NATURAL HISTORY. 131

female^ tappoki \to be the ftock of this race,
being completeriy grow% had taken their con-
fifteiiQS aad form before they were brought
iifomtbeirowACoumfy^ the new climate, and
n«f{r> food may^ Indeed, change" dieir tern-
perament) but' eannot haVe influence enough
ca'tfae foiid parts, iUnd organs to alter their
fonn,'Confeqifentiy the firil generation will be
no ways changed, nor will the original ftock, ^'
at the time of birth be degenerated; but the
young and tender 'animal wOrf^l the influence
of the climate, ' and receive a ftronger im-
inffion ^lan its father and modier had done.
The food will alfo have a greater effe£t> and
afi! upon the organic parts during die time
of its growth, change a litde the original
knmf and produce therein^ thofe feeds of de-
fe£ls which manifeft tbemfelves in a very con*-
^ciious manner in the fecond generation,
vAk^rt the progeny wiH not only have its own
defe6te, which arife from its growth, but affo
tfaevkes<^ the fecond fteck. In the diird
gen^radon, the defeats, which proceed from the
influence of the climate and food, combined
with thofe of influence on the a£lual growth,
will become fo vifible, that the character of
die firft ftock will be effaced.' Thus animals
of a fordgn rac^ foon lole their particular

qualities

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13* buffon's

qualities, aad, in evety refpeft, reTembie thdft
of the country. Spaniih or Bsuihuy horfes,
' if the breed is Aot crofled fref uentljr» become
in France, French horfes, la thp &co«id gene-
jration, and always in the tbird* We are^
therefore, obliged to crofe ijbe bread ififtcid
of preferving it, and renew the xace a*t each
generation, by giving the hories of B^rbary
or Spain, to the mares of the country^ and
what is more fingular, this renewal, of the
race, which is only done m part, produces
4iiuch better effe^ thaa if the renewal was
entire. A Spaniih horfii and mare la a foreii^
country do laot produce fuch handfome borieSf as
thofe which are bred from a SpajsiiliL horfe and a
mare of the country -, this is eafy to be con*
<:eived, if attention is given to the amendment
<}f natural defeds which will be produced when
,a male and female of different couittries are put
togedier. Each climate, by its influence^ and
by that of its food, gives a certain conform
madoa of parts^ which offends ekher'by.excefe
off defers. In a warm climate, thete will
be in excefs what will be deficient in a cold
climate, therefore, when we join together
animals of thofe opppfite climates, we muft
expe£^ the produce to be complete : and as the
moft perfe<£k work m Nature is Aat vi4iich

has

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MATURAL HISTOftY. 133

has the fiswvft d^ieds and the moft ptrkSt
fofflas, tfaofe AsLt hsare the feweft deformities)
& the produce of two animals* whofe defeds
exzSdj coanter-balaoce each otbery will be
the moft perfeft pit>dii£bien of its fpecies,
they counter-balaoce one anoCiier the bctterj
in propoftion to the dtftarKc between the coun-
tries tile animak matched together wtt-e bred
in;, the compound that refults therefrojn i$
the more petfed, the more oppofite the ex-
ceflfes or defefts of the conftitution of the miale
^eto the defe<9b8 or exceffes of the temperament
of the female. Thus the breed is always, im-
prored by matching^ the marcs with foreign
horfesK, andtl^.wiU alwayjkJke more beautrful
in proportion, as the €luml}Bf\|n which the hoxfe
and majse were bred, are ths more diftant^and,
on the contrary, the produce wiH be much dc-
hafedhy fufferii^ horfes of the feme race to
brecd'togedier^ for they infallibly degenerate
in a very little time.

' The climate and food have .no^ fo much in-
&tence on ihe- human fpecies as on animals;
and. the reafiin is plain : man can defend hi tnfeJf
better than any othex animal from the inteoi-
pejwnceof thecUmate J he jtlodged ^nddeathed
fuitably to the Usafons^i m his food ^i{^ uevs: is
more variety, and confequently it cannot to-
Y<^^- ^' N fluence

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134. buffon's

fluence all individuals in the fame manner.
The defeSs or excefTes which arife from thefe
two caufes, and which arc fo conftaritly and
fenfibly felt in animals, are much lefe confpi-
cuous in men. Befides, as ihere have been
frequent migrations, as nations are mixed, and
great numbers travel and are difpeifed" every
where, it is no wonder that the human race
(hould appear lefs fubjeft to the influence of
climate, and that there fhould be men ftrong*,
well-made, and even ingenious in all countries.
TJeverthelefs, we may believe, from experience
much farther back than memory can trace,
that men formerly knew the misfortunes which
refulted from aft iances with tRe Tame blood;
fince, in the mdft'^^ndvilized nations, it has
Tarely been permitted for the brother to marry
the fifter. This cuftom, which among Chrlf-
tians is a divine law, and which is pradifed by
other people from political views, is perhaps
grounded on this obfervation. Policy is never
extended in fo general and abfolute a manner,
unlefs fupported by phyfical principles : but if
men once difcovered by experience, that their
race degenerated, when intercourfe was admit-
ted between children of die fame family, they
would foon have looked upon alliances with
dher Willies as a law of nature^ a&d agreed in

not

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NATVUAL HISTORY* t^g

iidt filling a mixture of blood among their
children* In flxort^ from analogy it may be
prefumedy that in. moft climates men would de^
generate^ as .well ad animals^ after a- certaiu'
number of generations*

Another influence of the climate and food* iy
Ae variety of colours in the coats of aiiimalso
thofe which ace Vfil^y and live in the fame cli«-
mate, are of theiam^ colour, which> becomes
a little lighter^ or a litdeds^ker, in the diSerent
fiafons of the year ; on the contrary,- thofe which
live in different climates are of diflerent coloursy
and donajeftic animals vary fo much,, that ther«
fare b€Mies9..dQg^ &c.. ofall colpurs, while the
fiags,ha(es^&a« affealmoft unifoonlypf thefame.
.The injuries of the climate^, always the iame^
andiconftaiitl]!^ eating, the £ime fopd^ p^oduc^^
•ia wild animab), this uniformity*. The care
of man, the coimfbrts of ihriter, , the variety of
food,. e|&ce,s^d vary, the colour in domeflic
animals; as does alfo the mixture of foreigfl
£4ce$> when no care has been taken to aflbrt
■the colours of the male and female, which
ibmetunes produces beautiful fingularities, as
we fee in pied horfes, where the black and the
white are fo whimfically mixed that th^y foma-
times do not feem.the work of nature, but ra-
ther the fancy of a painter.

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f.36 lUFFON'ft

In couplifig hoffes the colour and bcigfac
Ihould be attended to; the fliapes ihould be
contrstftcd, the raee fliould be mixed with op^
pofite clifn&tes> and horfes and maies bred ia
Ae/ame ftud ihould never be ccmpled togpibcim
All tfaeie are neceflkry 'cautions, and there, are
fiill feme odiers not to be-negleded;.&r eao-
ami^e,, broodnnares ought never to he docked^
^becade, being unable «o defend tfaemfelvies from
the fites, they are* ^ondnuaHj torvaented, and
^e conftant agitataone, A^hicfa the ftiags of thcfe
inTe^s occafioa, diminifli the iptMatj of
their mSk,. whkh im great infloenoe on die
temperament and fize of the ioal, - iriikb in
Tverjr re4;>cA ¥^ be more vigoioiti jisiIm&xm^
4her is ^ore capdbleof niurfing it. It is >a]lb
preferable to choofe br ood aiaree^ 4ain ikdi as
have always been kept at grafe^ and {iave«ever
been hitd-n;^orkcd. Mares Which Raiw been
kept in fls^les on ^ (bod, aiid are i^riMfds
puttogra0, do not immedtajtely conceive} flMy
muft have time to accuftom thcinfi^ves to 4hii
new Iciftd of nutriment.

Although the ufual feafon of nmres is from
the beginning of April i» the end of June, yet
it frequemly happens, that (bme are <b bcfoiie
that time ; but which it would be better to fet
pafs off, becaufe the foal in fuch cafe would be

brought

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NATURAL HISTORY. t^f

Brought forth in winter, and fuflfet both' ftbAi
the intemperance of the feafon, and "badnefs of'
mtik ; and alfo, if a mare does not become
proud till after the month of Jane, fbt fhould
not be fuiFered to take horie, becaufe. the foal
being produced in fUmnier, cannot acquire
firength enough, to, rcfilt the injuries of the
enfuing winter...

Many people, inflead'- of conducting the
fiallion. to the mare, let him ioofe in a park^
where a- number of 'mares are kept,, and leave
htm at Ubtrty to.fingle out thofe wfcficharetiii
feafon : this method is good for the mares, and
diey will breed with more certainty ; but the
ftalHon is more hurt in fix> weeks than he would
be weU managed in .as many years*.

Asfoon as the mares are with foal, and their
beHies begin to grow heavy, they miuft be fepa*-
.rated from tbofe which are not fi>, left they
iliould be injured. They ulually go with foal
eleven months and feme days ; they bring forth
ftanding upright,, while almoft all other qua*-'
drupeds lie down:, in fomd cales, when the
delivery is difficult they, require affiftance,.and
when die foal is dead, it is extra(Sted with ropes.
The foal generally prefents its head fir ft, as do
all other animals j it breaks the membranes in
the birth, and the waters flow outabuqdantlyi^.
^f3 at-

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138 WrrFO!!*!

U the bxat time Aere is voided Imral S^S
fneces of fleflifontiecl'by the liquor of die aHan--
toides r thefe jHeces, wfaidi the ancients have
csiiet the bippdimncs, are no^ a» they iayv
pieces of flefh &ftened to its bead ; bttt,^on the
contrary^ iejparated by the amnios.. The mare^
licfcs the foai after its biith,. but flie does nor
meddle wiih the hippomanesi notwidifbUlding:
die aflertiori of the -ancients^ thatihe devours^
it immedtacely.

it is the ufiial cuftom to bare the mare cover<^
cd nine days after (he has foaled :: not to lofe.
time, and to make d( they can fvom the ftud ;;
^wt itf^ certain, that iSns mane ha^ng a foal:
andfcetus to provide for, her ftrength is di-
vided, and (be is not able to gi?e them lb much-:
nourifhment as if flic had only one y. it would,,
therefore, be better,* in order to have cxcdfentr
liotfes,. to let the mares be covered but oncein^*
two years; they would laftlonger,- and would:
not be'& liable to drop their feals; forincom^*-
mon ftnds it is a gieat thiilg When, in the iihne
year, half or two diinds, produxx foals^

The mares, vAen with foa),.canbear tobe
covered, though Aere never is any Mb con-
ception : they ufuaily breed till Ae age of 14^
or 15 years, and the moft vigorous not longer
than i8 • S tdlioin, when they have been taken :

care

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If ATintAt HISTORY. S^^)

tare* of, majF atgender till they are sto years
tidr or upwards. . The 6ni& lemark hat*
Been mad^ of thefe aaiaaals ai of men), viae
that tho& which have began too early, are
£3oneft incapachated $ for large horiesv which
fooncr arrive^ at their gvowth than deUcaar
ones, and are ufied as ftaUiooa at four yean
eld, ai)e fKqpeniiy incapsdde before they aie
ffiteen.

The duration of die life of horfeg, like that
hf every odier fpeoiea of animals, is pro^ .
portioned to the time of their, growths Man^
who is> above 14 yeavs in growing, Uves iix or
isven tsmes as long,^ to 90 or « lOOw* The.
horie,-wfao attains his full growth in four years,,
lives &X' orieven' times as long, .that is, to 2$
^r 3Q* There are ib few esoceptions to tMs
^e that we cannot draw any fuseoedents from
then;, and. as robuft bodes are at their entht^
-growth in lefs time than .delicate ones, th^ alio
iive lefs timej-IUdom exceeding 15 years..

it snay be ^fily itm, that in hories,. and
moft other <}uadrupeds the growth of the hinder
parts k at ftrft greaw than thofe (»f the anterior, .
whiMk in man the inferior parts grow kfs nt^
&& than, the iliperior; for in. a- child the thighfs
and legs are, in proportion to the body, jnuch.
kfs than thpfe of an adult^ on the contrary,

the

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14^ Bxif roN**

the hind legs of a foal are (a long that thqr caifv
touch its head, which they caaoot do iid)en
fill] grown. This difFerence (jroceeds le& from
die ineqiialitj of the whole growth of the
anterior and pofterior parts, than from the in^
equality v( the fore and hind feet, which is
oonflantly the cafe through all Nature,, and is
moft fenfibk in quadrupeds* In.ixian .the feet
are larger than the hands, and are alfo fooner
formed i and in the horfe the foot ferms the
greateit part of > the bind leg being compofed
of bones, correfponding to die tarfiis, meta*^
tarfus, &c. It is not, therefore, aftoniflung
that this foot ihould be fooner extended thaa
the fore legs, the inferior part of which re«-
fembles the hands, being cooipofed of the bones
of the carpus, metacarpus, &c. When a cok
is juft foaled this difFerence is readily remarked:;
the fore legs compared with the hind ones
being much.fhorter in proportion: than they are
in the fequel; befides,.the thicknefs which the
body acquires, though independent of. die pro-
portions of the growth. in length, occafloas
more diftance between. the hind legs and the
bead, and confequently. contributes to hinder
the horfe fro^l reaching, it when arrived at his
full growth, .

In

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NATUttAZ.HIg'PORY. T4t

In alt aoimals each fpedes differs accord'mg .
to the diffeirence of dimate, and the general
rcfidt of this irariet)r fonm and coi^itutes the
d&fferefit ruces* Of ^e£b we can only par*
ticularize d»s moft remarkable, udiich differ
greatly from each other^ paffing the ii^rmediate
Shades, which here, as in evocry thing elfe, zti
inSnttR* We ha^^ even^ augmented the nutn«-
ba awjl codufion, hf.fdsmanng Ae oMxture of
ibefe bfleeds ; and vm may be find to have
almo^ inverted Nature try briaginig into tbeb
diaaatES the facdes of Afiica or A&a, and have
to imicfa ehadged diepriifiitifire rade of Francd^
bf iotroffliictsig hoirfar of ^ coimtnes, that thqr
jdv not. now to be knourn, there oidy remaii^
itigCbme (l^t tnuk^ f»roduced:i^the adaal
infltseoce of the difn;rte. ^Husfe ttices wbtdd
be tnudi flronger^ and the difference wtMild be
jKUffh greater, if the mce of eacfaidnnaite were
preibrved withoiit-istxtuxie ; Ike &iailidtiieretices
would be Ids -fhaded, and fetver in mimb^JS^
but thcnc' wauid he a certain ntm^r of great
variety titst all nFraricind might ea/lly diflrin^
gtfift; vcirftead of whidi, cuftona, and ^ven ^
long experience, are, at prHent} tieoeilary to*
know the hories of diCerauf ^untries.. Oh.
Ah fttbje£b we have only the knowledge drawn;
from the accounts of diilereiK tra^llers, and

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141 BWfca^s

the abiefl riding mafters, fuch as NewcalUey,
Garfault) Guednere, See. and from feme re-^
marks that Pignerolles> Mafter of Horfe to
the King of France, and' Prefident of the AcaV
demy of Angers, has communicated.

The Ankbian horfes are die handfomeft
known in Europe^, thejr are larger and more
plump than thofe of Barbary, and eqaally well
fliaped, but as they are not often brought into
F>rance, few obfenrations have been made on
ifaeir perfedaons OP defe£bu

The horfes of Barbary are more common^,;
Ihey have a long fitit^ necfc^i not too mtick
ceveceds wkfa/hairj mtd^ weB'divided'fiKnn die
widiers} dte head is finall and beathiful ; die
iKarsh»idfomearid'wd}-ptaGed;:^e backfhort
and ftraight; the flanks aiidi fides round-wtdi-
out too. much bdly;. die haunches diin, die
crupper generally long, and the tail placed
rather high;, the thighs well fam^d, and&l^
dona Buv the legs handfome, well liiade,. and
almoft. widiout hair ; the tendon largc^ die
fpol.weHYiiade, but frequently the paftem long;
tb^y are of all coloui^ but moft commonly
grey/ In their patees, they are i^wkys very
negligent, an<t muft be c^teii reminded:, they
are fwift 'and ftr<3*igj rety light, and well
sjd?Rte.d for. hiuiting. Hhefe faprfes feem the

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NATURAL HiSTORr. I43

moft proper to breed from ; and leave it only
to be wiflied they were of larger ftature, fel-
dom exceeding four feet eight inches high. It
is confirmed by experience, that in France,
England, &c. they beget foals larger than
themfelves. Among the Barbary horfes, thofe
of the kingdom of Mort>cco are the beft;
next, thofe of the mountains. The horfes of
Mauritania are of an inferior quality, as well
as thofe of Turkey, Perfia, and Armenia.
All the horfes of warm countries have the hair
fhorter and fmoother than others. The Turk-
ish horfes arc not fo well-proportioned as thofe
of Barbary ; they have commonly the neck
ilender, the body long, and the legs too thin.
They will, however, travel a great way, and
are long winded ^ this will not appear furpridng
if we confider, that in warm countries, the
bones of animaU are harder than in cold cli*
mates, and it is for this reafon, that though
they have fmaller (hank bones, their legs are
ftronger.

The Spanifli horfes, which hold the fecond^
rank after thofe of Barbary, have along, thick,
and hairy neck i the head rather large, the ears
long, but well placed ; the eyes full of fire,
and have a noble ftatelyair;. the (boulders are
Chick, ;md the brcaft larger the loins fre-^

quently

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/

144 BUFFOf^'s

qaently radier low^ rise fides roun^ and
often too much betiy; the crupper is u&(ally
round and large, thou|;h ^ome have it rather
long; die legs thin, free. from hair; the par-
tem is fometimes long like thofe of Barbary .
the foot rather lengthened like that of a noitik, an^
frequently the heels too high. Spaahlh horfe&
ei the beft breed, are plump, weH-coated, and
low of ftature. They^ ufe much motion in their
carriage, and hav^ great fupplenefs,' fpirit/ and
pride. Their hair i^ ufually black, o^ of a dark
(hefinit colour, though there are feme ^ of all
colours, and it is but feldom that they have
\vhite legs or xiofes. The Spaniards have an
averfion to thefe niark$, uid never breed from
horfesthat have them, chufing only a'ftar in die
fordiead i they however prefer thofe which have
not a Tingle fpet, as much as the French do thofe
y^ith particular n^rks^ But theib prejudices,
at*e perhaps equally ill-fouwted, fincc there are
exceeding gotnl horfes widi all kinds of marks,
or entirely of one colour, Thefe ftnall differ-
ences in th^e coats of horfes, do not, in any
mai^ner, depends on their qualities, or thetr inte-
rior conftitutba, but originate from excernal
caufes,^ and even thofe fo fuperficialy ihat by
a flight fcratch on the (kin a white fpot is
produced* Spaniib bor&s are all marked in

the

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NATURAL HI3T0RY I45

the thigh with the mark of the ftud where they
were bred. They are commonly. of a fmall
ftatuxe, though there are fome four /eet nine
or'trn inches in height. Thofe of Upper Ar-
dalufid are reckoned to be the beft^ though
they are apt to ha?e the head too long ; but
this dekQ: is excufed in £»vpur of their excel-*
lent qualities : .they are courageous, obedientt
' graceful), fpirited^ and more fupple than thofe
of Barbary, for which talents they are preferred
to alX other horfes in the world, for war, for
fhew, and for &e inenage.

Thc|J)flndibaieft>£i%lifh hories have la their
conformation, great reiemblaoce to tliofe of
Arabia and Barbary, from which, in faft, they
origin^d; they have, notwitbftanding,. the
headlirger^ but well made, the ears longer,
but well |daced. By the ^rs alone an Englifh
horfe may he ■ known from a Barb ; but the
great diiFeret^ce is in their ftature, for Englifh
borles are much larger and plumper ; tiiey are
frequently five feet high; ar^ of all colours,
and have all kinds of niarks ; they, are gene-
rail y ftrpng, vigorous, bold, capable of great
fatigup,. exc^lent for, hunting and courflng »
but they want grace and fupplenefs in their
flioulders. The. race h^orfes of this country
are exceedinjgly iwift, as indeed ^re the faddic
VOL. y. O horfes

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14* BUFFON^S

horfes in general ; of which I cannot give a
ftronger proof Aan by giving an extras of a
letter I received from 9 Briti& Nobfcman,
(Earl x>f Morton) dated London Feb« 189
1748; which ran in thefe words, ^ Mr.
Thornhill, a joft-mafter of Stillon^ wagered
that he would ride three times the diftmce
firom Stltton to London, that is 215 £ngfi(h
miles, within 15 hours. In undertaidng die
performance of which, he fet out from Stilton
in the morning of the 2f th dF April, 1745,
and arrived in London in three hours and -Bfty*
one minutes, having taken a hiaj of eq;bt
different horfes on the road; he immediately
fet out again from London^ and got back to
Stilton in three hours and fifty two minotes,
having changed horfes but iix times ^ fer the
tliifid fpace he fet offagaini and wi A fevenr.x>f
the fame faoi&s be completed it in tHree hours
and forty nine minutes, going over the - whole
fpace of 215 miles innelevwi hours and thirty-
two minutes; an example of fwiftnefe that^
polfibly is not to be paralleled in ancient ht&
tory. »

The horfes of Italy were fonperlf^niiieh
handibmer than they are at preftnt^ becaufe the
breed for fane time has been negtQ(£bed;.^not-
withftanding the Neapolitan h9f&s 9xe flftt

hand-

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NATURAL HI8T0RY- J47

faan^em^ e^cially for carriages, ^iid draught
hor&s^ batin general they have large heads
and thick notks^fthey are untraSable, aiid
confequemly not eafiiy managed ; thefe de*
fc<3s are cimpeniat^ by their noble fortn,
their. ftMeline&> and the gnteefulnefs of their
motiofi&

The Danjib.horfes ate (o fuperior in make
and bcau^, that they are preferred to atl others
for carriages: ibitie of tbetn are perfectly
mpi^dedi bi|t th«ir number is fmall ; for th^
^ocifbrmatiOA vf^thefe horfes is ield6m reg«i1ar|
(oo^ ^fcthcBi have tliiQk.i»)ck8> ki^ ihouU
d^t5|: &m Ioin»long^nd loMT, and the buttocks
too najrcow fpr the ihicknefs of the. ^e parts }
butthty are aU graceM in thejr tnotions, and
in general Y«ry good for wary and for ^ ftate »
they, are of all colours, and fome are fpolted
liks t^era wbkh, ace .found no where but in
Demnarkto .

QegtnuBf produces very bandfome horfes^
but they-' are generally heavy, and Ihort-^
breaiA#<i, ik$io^ chiefly bred from Taii^ifh and
Barbary, Spanifii and Italian horfesf for this^
realbnthey ar^ not fwift enough fer eourfiiig
or bttftting, whilft the Hungarian and Tran-
filvMiian horfe$} ate,* on the contrary, light
and good coider8> The Httngariians fplit
O Z . their

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their noftrils With a view, tliey fay, of girfng
them more breathy and^alfo'-td hinder their
neighing in battk. I hare fierer had it in my
power to be convinced of th!& fiifty that horfes
who have their n<^ftr}fs. ffit cannot neigh, but
k appears me, that their neighing tmjA be -
weaker. It is remarked, that the Hungarian,
Croatian, and Polifh horfes have tho^ tsmk in
their mouths during life* . <

The horfes of Holland arc, very gooA' fer
coach-horfes : the beit come ffomtfae provilx??
of Fri^fland : there are aMb.fome verf good
ones 'in die provinces of. Bevgues and fafhr9.
The Flemilh horfes are grcady ioiferior to ^c
Dutch : Uiey have almoft all large heads^ flat
fettj and are ififbjeft'te bamours; andlbefe
twojaft defejb are eil^tial, opes ift coach-
horfes. . . ....

In Frahce there are hories of all kiad^ but
very few handforae ones. The heft isuUkr
fabrfes come from the Limofin, which tttrni^
ble much thofe of Barbary, and like Ifaetn are
Excellent for fainnting ; but diey are ilow in
their growth, requii^ gre^ caie while young,
and muft not be i^ed tili they are dg^t years
old. There are alio feme excellent foBisht
Auvergne, Poitou, and in Moroant 'in Bur-
gundy^ but next to the Limofiiiy Nomxandy

furnifbcs.

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NATnuAi HinToinr. 149

.&niUbev 010 Aloft boffe»; diey are not To'
fa0d ht,hlMkig$ buliMre better for war; they
httre tkidfcr coaia, and fooner jvU^ their f^iil
g{i)#tli4^ There are otf^iiy good coach-horfes
ftrougbcr froor- Lower Norm^iviy. if^hich are
fighur^ ftM jthoTe flf JEMland. Fr«uic1ie«
ComftBf not fix CQin>try round Bottlpgri^>
fiimtft; very good draitght^hok&s* Iti general,
Ae Fronck borfes hays th^ir iboulders too
ibick^ viiichy ifi the Bdrjbary bor&f} a^e gene^

• vjiafdflg doftribcj diofe hories wfaieb ^e

beft knowii t»B8^ we&dl now nieficion m^

travellers' report of foreign horfes vi^tb whicfa^

«rb aitmdaoqiBsnted^ There aure good hocfes in

^ iflfltidlHfiffharAffQhipdagi^: thofeof tl^ ifladd

«^Gfeie wl»« in gf««r repntafesoii amoqg the

andents for dieir agility and fwiftnefs^i th^

sre at pKftat but ttttle ufed ey^ ki' tiiat o^iv

trjv from its hting. abnoft erery where aa«

^i^fai^ aadivtry oKHmtainotts*. The bdihorfts

m ^thde tflimcbv ^^ ^^ m £arbary^ are:of

lli9^Arabiaa42wed. Th« i»thre hprfe of the

InagrioiiLOf MomocBr ase mudufiaaBer than

^ thorfb of : Arabja^fii bot M»ry Kgfat and vigptous

^ .Ui^ (ajB^. tfatt tbfrireed of Egypi and Ttogi-

tada mr pttferabfe to*/ ^ thofo^ of the aeigh^

^omxif^^ca^jKUfm ago there

O 3; werjs

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were good horfcs aU over BSiFl&y» TKe «dJ-
celleiKe of there Barbary }ft>rC9s ^opfift^ in ill^
never fiumbling^ and inr their ftaadiog jbift
whilft the rider. cUimounfs t)r bts fidlrhi^
bridk. They' walk &iiri.and^^lop ,wi4i ra*--
pWity, but d>ey are never fuffiered^to trot or
amUe : the inhabitants-. of.the country, looiung
upon thofe paces as rude and ignoble. _ He adds
that the horfes of Egypt are fuperior to all others
for dietr height aod beauty^; but; tbefc Egyp*
tian hbr&s, as well asmoft oif dio^b of Barbaryv
fpruBg from Arabian hbties^^whidi w^ with«^
ouix:ontradi£iion^,the nioft Ipeautiful hpr&s.ia.
the world;> «

Accordmg to MiarmoI,^onradier Beon» i^
African for (Marmol Jbas copied him ^IbiqA
wordi for word) the Arabian hories are ^©* ~
fcended from the wild 'horfes of the deiiBrts of
Arabia^ o^f which, in ancient tmes^ targe dEHid^
werefcdoned, .and whichhave multipUed-TOkCmiGk
that all Afia. and Aftica are full of tfosm \ ^y
are fo fwift as to ouftrip the v#ry <^ricbi
The Arabians of die^ defert, and the popple of
Lybia, breed a great number of tfaefe hories>
for hunting>.but neither* uie. diem ixLtraipeUitfg
or in their wars. They fend rfiem to pafture
whilft there is any grals, and when that. §uls
they feed them with- fiates.aad camels milk^

which

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NATURAL HISTORY. 153

wfitcb make) them nervous, light, and leaif.
They-1^ Indies for Ae wfld horfesy and eat the
flefli 0f tfie yoang ones, ^yhich they affirm n
very "dclicsilft. Thefe wiW horfes are finally
and -jurd 'commonly afh-coloiired, though there
are ^s^ f%me white ones, and the mane and the
hair of* Ae taai is Ihort and firialed. Otha:
travellers hive given curious accounts of the
Ai^1>ian boHes, of which we will only mention
die principal dfcuriittances.

tet an Ara&an be ever la poor he has
hoffe$;.i3!iey ulually ride upon the mares, ex*-
pdrictstt having taught them that they bear
&tigue, hunger, and thirft, better than horfer;
tJieyilrealfd Irfs vitious, m6re gentle, and will
FemnSn left to thcraftrlves, in great numbers;
for daysi together, without d&ing the leaft harm
to each othen The Turks, on the contrary^
do not like mare^ and the Arabians fell them
the horfes whichthcy do not keep for ftaltions;
The Arabs have long preferved,, with great
^are^^ie* breed of their horfes; they knbw their'
gener^ons>:allianceS),and all their genealogies:^
' They

* bf lidswA kaye aftrikiag rnftance in-Bennani^s Zod^i

which contJiUa tbe following attcfte<) paper : ;

(Taken before Abdorramany Kadi of Ac^a) -

^ The oecafibii 6f thii pref«nc writing Or inftniment ie^

that at A€ca|.,iA- thf^faoui^ of Badiy legal eftabliihed' judge>

appeared

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13^ BUTFON'y

They'diftinguifli dieir breeds ihto three cfii!es;
Ae firRy which are of puf e and ancient race o^
bodi fides, they eall Nobles; the fecotid are df
ancient race, but have been mif-sdHed ; and the
dnrd kind are their common horfes. The Tat-

ap^trtd 111 C^uit Thomat tHgat^, Ae,Sd|ilil CeAfiil;
and with him Sheikhs MondEbn »1 Hag Abtio&h, Shdkh
of the country of Safad 5 and tjie fatd conful defirjBd| from
A* af<0ielai^ Sheikha, f roof of the race of the gray hocfe
which he bought of his, and he afirmed to' 6e Mbnalii^
Shadnhl; f hut he was not Atiafied wkh tbit* but defied
th0.«dtimony of the Aiaba, who bred iht hprfe^ dAd ,kni^w
iio# kt came to She'rkhs Mond y whtfeapoii there appearwl*
ecrtain Arabs of repttte, whofe naaoes are vndenaendbtted,
who tef&fied and deckuredy that the grey horik- whkb tk^
(^liil formeiiy bought of Sheikh Morad it Mooaki Shadaki"
of thepfire race of hOTfet, purer than milky and that ^
begimiHig of the aflTair was, that die Sheikh' Siieh^ Sfceifch
of Alfobal bought him of the Arabs, of tkife tribe of ad.AliK
hommadity and Slteikh Saieh fold him to Sheikh |4or^
Xbft al Hi^j AbdoHah, Sheikh of Safad, and Sheikh Morad^
(bM|iim^to the Conful aforefaid j >hen theft itkarteti «^
peared tto us, and the eontenta were known^ the laid fetttfi^
flian defod a certiikate thereofy and teftimony of the. w|y
ntffaf wheielipen we wrote- him this certificate for \k^ .to-
heap as a proof tkeieof. C^d^ Fxidby i% of tkelat^r^abi^
lit thr year I135. ^ .^ .

wiTfrrsfxs.

Sheikh Jjuimat al Faiiban of the Arabs' of al Ma*
komaudat.- ... '.'''.

AU£boTak|»a]Kaakfe . A

, Ibrahim^ his bfotber*

Ibiokammed al Adhra Sheikh Ai/arifaCr^

Khaous ai Kaabi* : -' - -

t ^# ttmffr tbnr Nfkit rH9^

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NATURAL HJSTORY. I53

ter are fold, at a low price: but thofe of the
firft clafs, and even of the fecond, among
which fome are as good as thofe of the firft,
are extremely dear. They never fufFer the
mares of the noble clafs to be covered ex-
qQpt by ftallions of the fame quality. They
are acquainted) frpojL long experience, with
die 'Whdie race of dieir own horfes, and
even-^fcb diofe of theirnetghbours, and know
thejir: names, furnanies, colours, marks> &:c.
> When.' they have no noble ftallions of their
ti*^ they borrow on* of a neighbour to coircr^
thear. marcs, which is done in the prefence of
Wittieffes) who give an atleftation iigned and
fdaleii before thefeeretary of the Emir, or fiime
other public perfon, in which the names of the
HMre and liorfe are written down, and their
whole 'generation fet forth. When the mare
has foaled witneiTes are again called, and another
suieftatioii is drawn up, which coDtain& a de«
foriptron of the foal, with the day of its birth.
Thefe certificates enhance the value of their
horles, and are given to thofe who buy them.
.The price for a mare of the firft clafs is from
one to three hundred pounds fteiling. As the
Arabs have only tents for their houfes thofe
tents ferve them alfo for ftables: the mare and
her foal, bufl>and> wife, and children,^ lie pro-^

mifcuoufly

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154. furroN's

ini£:uoufly together; the children will lie on.
the body and neck ^ the mare and.foa|..with^
out being incommoded, or receiyiog Mic Hsaft
injury; na;^ the animals f^em afraid to move
for fear of hurting them. Tbefe ij^ares are .ii>
accuftomed to live in this &aiiliarity that ^y,
will fuffer any kind of pJay. The Arab^neveif
beat their mareS) buit treat them kiAdly,^ taliEf
and reafon with them^ they take great car^of
them, always letting them Wi4k> ap4 n^nrer yS9
die fpur without ^e gr^ateft. iie<;e^i .^fepi^
therefore, as they fed thor .rid^'3 hedi fJMjji
fet out with incredibly fwifoififs^ an4 1^^ ^^dgpt
and ditches with a$ Qiuch.a^Ui9 9sff^wu#f
does. If their riders hq^|ien. to Ml ^y arffi A
well trained, that they will ftop ihort.eyi^,JA
the moft rapid gallop. AU Arabian \i^aifs%^
of a middling^fuBe, very eafy ia th<iriiuu;e%43|d
rather thin .than fat. They are.dreficd. i«iafnn
ing and evening regularly with, fo much car^'
that not the fn^eft fpot is left on their ftisaj;.
their legs, mane, and tail, are wafhe^i .l^e la^
is let to grow long, and jfekiom comj^^^ .^
avoid breaking the hairs. They have nofbi^ .
given them to eat all day^ and icldpm af«
allowed to drink above two or three timMU.
At funfet a bag is fafteptd louncL JJieirt^jeids^
containing about halt a b.uibeLoC. v^rf cleat)'

barley>

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NATURAt HISTORY. I55

bariey, whiih Is not taken from them till the
nddttDdrrting when all is cat up. In the month
of -March, "When the grafs is tolerably high,
they ^re turttcJ^iit tb pafture. At this time the
marts arc ciwrereA, and immediately, after cold
Walter h ^rMrh trpdn diem. As foon as the
(prkng is (yaft tifey aretakch again from pafture^
and 4)at^ thither gtafs n6r hay, and feldom
ftittv^, ^H Ae reft ©f the year, barley being
thfeif otf y food. 'They cut the manes of their
folfe At « year dr eighteen months old, in order
tdihAk&it grotir thicfe and long; They mount
thtt^tiiro yieats'old, or tv^ years and a halif
a^.4lttti6ft, and ttlf this age they put neither
fadSteiidr bridle on ftem. Every day, from
mfemihg'tfll night, all the Arabian horfes ftand
laidled'A'Ae doors of the tents.

Thc'brettlbf therefiofresisdifperfed through-
out BaAary; iJie chiefs among the Moors, and
cv^ii^ among the Negroes along the rivers
GMtitk itni Senegal, have them of uncommon
bcadty; Inftead of bartey, or oats, they give
th^ diaise reduced to ftowfer, which they mix
vriii nifki when they are inclined to fatten
them ; ind lit di» hot climate they feldom let
thcm'ilrirtk. The Arabian horfes are' alfo
fprcBrf^er Egypt, Tui^kcy, and perhaps Perfia,
wherft* tiitre Were formefly confidcrable ftuds.

Mark

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256 UUPFOK-S

Mark Paul mentions x>nt in wKkh ^ere ten
thoufand white nisnesi and be filjrs, thatin^dsc
province of Balafcia .there was a great -HUBiiiMsr
of large nhnUe horreSy tmb dietr /boc& (0
hard that it was unnectBa^ tx> fliotitlieai.

The horfes; of the Levar^ as welt Jistkefe
of Perfia and Arabia, ha?€ tbt ftmg of the foot
very h^rrd ; they (hoe *them nttfwitilftaqdiQgi
but widi (hoes fo light 'mi thm dsattiaB^ may
be driven throigh any, part of thejat .In Tmkqry
Perfiai and Arabia, the cuftom of Inking. Are
and feeding them is the fam^*. T]|eic lit^r
is made of dieir own dang, -wlii^ll i^ Sf&
dried in the fun, to take off tb^ jfi fi^lj^.then
reduced ttna powder, and a bed ntsi^ |wi^ it
in the ftabie or .tent, four or.five ii|ches tbijck.
This litter lafts sl long ticof, for \fdiei^ipil^
is dried! in the fun a fecpnd tii^.ju)d again
lofes its di&greeabl^ odour. .. ^ . . ^

In Turkey there are Jiorffes. of; Arabia, . TT^-
taiy, and Hun^y, befid^s the i^atiye i^rfe^ of
the country, wbich are very haa<^ome,,and
elegant, have a great, deal of fire,.fwiftn^$ and
fymetry, but are foon fistdgufd* Tbei^ ^ios
are fo tender diat they cannot bc^. ijb^ cj^rry-
comb, fo diat they are obliged to ^le^^.br^uih,
and to wafh them with w^ter. .Thefehofi^f
althou^ handtoe^ lurc mucb iiiferiorvto iliofe

'of

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NATUltAjiHVi^TORy. 157

mlt[ts.tmiitmi AraUiNit Ihift n^ft httiittful iauk
iteiteftiiadrs of the jBt&. , Tii^ paftqro ofthe

knt^ ititsobllliiti i9il^ i>)r<lha aidtrr of gprtm-

ther^ flioft of wkkh ..iwe^ vtq^* baiMlfiiii»v soft
alMfoti««caU)dil^ tPitttm <Ub ValU pcebrs
Ae ^ommen iit»fefc.<rfig«fei^ to Ac moA ^jo^
f«ibBr-«fl the. lebigdMitof Naples. Tjtff )iie
rimainiibf dI ai^tfidrfii^ fiw^^i^me are vttf
ftl4lly^«ttt iiQfiy ^ iai^giNMltia&'.aitd! ftrength,
illfta^:ttlM fti^^iaiJlhlM bifgcr dun the fiulcUe^
ftitfft^- ior-£i}gtoitf. Tbejr hUTe-iinall heads
arid^^im^ftfeck^i ii^^eon are hatidfbmc and
ivfeff f)&eM; flith legs, 4ah<Ubme cruppers,
an(f h^'^obfi ; tWy-afe docile, HyVjy,»iight;
boM, Mu^^cAiSf ^ «apilH<l bf bearifig^ great
hanMltps. . They rtt* Very^fWIftj^WiAoYit tvtt
ihtmUbi^* ThcyA«f^obuft,and«afiiyfcd,bein^
kept bnbartef mixed wWi ftrawchoppcd fine,
ami are only put to grafs for SLhoKxtftx weeki
fh -*e fpring; Their euto^aite kjng, ati4-di6
Perilans ilever ^ftiake-geldkigs^ > They vb covert
ingstd^Afeifid'ti^eir hbffes froi&tfad ji^ums of
ikheair, and art particiilariy ^66bti\Fe hi Aeit
dneof tiiemr tbe)^ tna«i(|» 'dftm't^ al Mdle
only, aiM'^wHfKmtetfiployiiig^^m Nuiabeps

VOL* V, P of

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iS8 fitrt»FON's

q£ &an are tflmi^ortied idiotT^kejs but more
tnthejndiesu. ThofeteiY^«rsiriio3ie£»lavi|b
m their piai^ of the .Perfian h<»fes agree ia
aUowii^ tjiat the ^/iraliitaDS .are. fupemc -for
their agtlityy^counigeb'ftret^tHs sMKltbeait^iasd
^t ^3r<a4[e mdrt ;v4l«isdtjievea ^ Perfiii^itlmtt
flie.harfcs ofthajtcQunlry. \ ,/ a ^' .
;: viThe horbs :Hicd -ki . the Indies; aee iot igocKL*
TJbofe ufed hy ^iie.grandees .of Jiiie:apiiQt^, are
kasportcSt from PfstfisLioA'AxMiu iFh^jt^iHC
them 8 little l>a7.in!the cby^^raiidxin tbei:svfeif^
p^e boil^. with Imt^.-iUid/fi^^yiiiiftt^jtf
oats or bar^r; di^s iacwiftiQieol ftrefigtbei^
and. gives tbe(aipinta^\witlio|tt it thiy wo^
foon decajr> t^e cUtnate biang contraeyjpi their
nature, . Tiie Jiativc hor^s^tf lodtft^areYcry
.fomUi vibrQe ,x>f tl^em ai^ip little^ tha^/T^-
vermer %^ djkeyoaiiigj^i^iacc jof^^tftc ^^
who was about^g^tjr^ars^ age, r^d^^a
handlbipe litde hoIfe^. whofe M^^d ^
exceed that of a large g]:;eyhouiid. . |t, f^\dd
(t^sR„ that extreme hQt clijoiatesiure contrary
to the nftuco of ^hprfes. - Thofe r9f. the.^Gqld
Coaft, Juiday Gieneai to* . ^e alCp x^ry bad*
iTThey c^^ry. t^ir i heads . and# oedte svery l^w t
their v^alk is fo tot^ic^,. A2t one would imis^
gftiietheywerealwa^ ready tQ.falli lii0y(W|H}ld
neirer ftk* if |^y woevot. W bf, con^ntnUy
1 beat

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hci^j and the greatcftintFt ^ them are fo lopir
that die'feelQf the, riders almoft Coiich< tbe
^^kihtl <^* aiv tfjoBffJvnXnQable creatures^
and Ofdy 'fit'to besatj^n by the Negroes who
are a6' fond of their tfl<ilh c$ diejrare cftf dvat
of dtigs. ' Thb tafte^or horfe-ftefli is CommoA
to the Negroes, AraKan% *Tarfars> apd ChU
fld^.^ '^The^ iShinefeSiwiiisian ao». better thaa
tiiofe of Indh) cho^ arc m^fky fjiirklels, iUr
t)i9dei and YeryfTtmll^ ttbofe # Cpirea are-iMC
tnore thm tfareei f^t in* Imght^ In China
aimoft all. Ihe. hoffes/ao^ivail^ gddtt^s; and
liusf'fA^ Co timid tbat^ they k:annot be niadeii&
of ill iiraf; ibchatiti oiay with prppriety.be
bid* ttntfihe TattarianhDdbfcconqueited.CMmL.
Thofe'-horfes are. very vfit &x 9nuv thongbcooxr
m^nly bat<of amodesade fi^ ; they are ilroag>
vigprdusy'i^iricedy'i^ile^-and'tery fyrilb Theii:'
boeft«ieJbtasd» hutatho.bJHCKAnoihtoafiarrosR).
tbetr headi^aili fnudl^' d«ar htcksJiong ao3 con-]
fined^ aad their kg$ zxtton^taagi ^ith aU^thefe
defeftsitheyoiajt bajaoafidertdte good bodes,
for they sare not eaftly cirbd) and .gallop eoc-
tremely fM. Thfe Tanars Iweiiwitb' difiir
faorfes' in -tke £une. noaniier* aai th$;Ai'«Matis«:
When abouc fe?en Diris^)il*iiiQQtbs.0ld ttoy,^
ai« mom«pd by chiUiiw^ jyrhojiiuik€L..4lD|pi
iNkaad gidlap a Jiitd9.>way by .turtts. :Thejs
P 2 thus

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tbiis^ break daik bjrdeKiee^ and oblige ^tpm
to* undtigodong ftftfitg$>'. but- they. fi«i^
;nioiiat . tbeiH^fof ^ 4iwdiiiig or ^Wii«gtc3i( tbef
are^iixor.fsvfcnTeaip oM^ and i dft^ iiM|r mak/c -
tiiem fupppr|,incndiUe;i«tigtf9, fudif.aa tm*

fiiig ^ .pai}xiig four ^r .Sv^. daysiwHilOut any
other foodithai <avhradMdJC>flgrt6^e1rQr7 dgM
hounay^andatfrt^ ^ CwQ&fejH&ur mdiout
ibinU»g> &€«.' TM9le4M>rii» tJiA^biaie lb so4<
buill in theif 4mi*coiiaittf become^ enfesUved
juddofelefe) whM^ttaii^ortejd to-GhtoaiMr»lh0
Indka^ bttt tbef fiK^oited.bctlei^ in I%&ti^
'STmhRy. Theiikth^Tattart have fibredl ipf

tiicy Wc<ib ttaH 6fWid .ta< b^ 'ftdd toiFertigmU^.
TMe bprfes' hAvis-all &a^good-aad ^J^^uh^.

han^i nuicb-tfae latne^ oMnaiS' aod^ed«rad4«ih
give- liM^viaris'^^pofiifkau^^ thafehaoitn^)
Tii^e^ar64iUb ji) CS«affiar wi* ia iMtegne&».
manjt .hc^cfe^ which' a«ie^4veii hand^eipi.tha^
thofe of. l^artary. .vTliere:are' tMo^ ibtneniiiu$r'
horfes in the JJkramc^* Wabohia^ Polami^aQd.
Sweidea> botiwtfhavg^tt(»pai<>cailaaia cq> unt<al'

tH«irqtoaiiHesror4dlfiS^»'« - -^ • :

f if \(re^cMfial€ Urn a^eiwite^iV^tteMAif^aiid^

r .- jl i we

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KATtrkAt «RT0Rr. i6k

we flSHU 'finiJ,^ that nbe borfb^* of ^ Greecr,
efpedaBf th^ of. TAefl% JmdEpirus, were
heldikijgteat eftean; and "were very ufefcrl in
war; that ttofe'4>f Ath^acwere.ths largeft
then known ; Wok ^e kandTomeft came frottf
Bgj^'Wiiere 4hert ^^a^eat ndmber, and
Wtere'SoIotnoD fent to buy them, afc a great
piiee^ dittt in Ethibpa the hof fes did not thrive^
en account t>f the g^eat heat of the climate $
that . Afabitf atid Afrioa prodiicsd the fbefl
hor&g^ Irat aiboTe aH th^ ligbfieft and beft cal-
culated Bridie chace ; * tibat ttmfe of Italy were
tastieac&fy good ; that hi- %d]y, Gapprsdocta,
Syria,' ^Armeiim^ Medea, and Perfia,* there
Wftre excdlent horfes, • remarkable for their
fv^Sftttefe arid= agflf ty '5 " that 'ftofe of 'Sardinia?
and- Coriica were fmall, but lively and cou^^
titgp&ik$ '€hat thofe of Spain i^nd^led thofe*
•f PifCMa^ and -were ex-cdient fdr war; that
A^ "Were in Tranfylvania and in Walachi*
fwlft hoHe§ witk finall heads, large mknes
hangilig down to die ground, and biifby tails ;f
dittC the' I>anKh hdrie^ Were w^ made aiicP
goodIeat)et^; diat thofe of Scandinavia * were
fmidt, b^ wd} made and verf agile; that the
Flanders horfes were ftrong; tbkc-the Gauls^
furnilhed'^eRomaf!i9''tfridigoodhorfes for the
fadffi^i Md-t0'cai>ry but^e^s^ thi^^be G<M)^ ;
P 3 h(>rf»

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hoWes wat iS^taaJky -and ^fe^ vvSoills^ #fafi
«fe was Riade'of llita'it'tk^^iM^^f^tei
great numbers fit &r Inrar ;. ibA- tiie liorfed <if
Himgaiy were ;itfa:!vei^ good ^^astflaflljr, tbitt

Frpar die Asm h£h itt ttUk^ iM^^
AnMan barfes have ever^beei% aa^-^e ilffi%
the &ft hodb ki tiie-wcxildi both^f^ boailtjr
and goodne&j^ tiiat tt is fipiii lfa«m, inune^
diateljs or bjr doe mesnr rf B«4)s^^ti&t liie
fined horfes.m. Eorop^' iftfid€%' ted' Afia %i^
hred> thai Anilna JsrVp^rhapff ttiot tinl]B>^ther
origtfialt dioiata Jbf h«iffeai but . Ae^ bdBHfafeid
tty dieir nat^e^ be^a^ if^i^ ^^^ mii&ig
the breed bj^fof^eig^hcH^y.dM Ar^ taisff
<are to' pi^r7^th^i^cywft parity i^ifaaa fC^stlie
dimateis Adtof itfidf M^bdl foi^JblNA%' Ar
ttati^s^hlCfe ^v^-'dna #Qne effia^ 4)]|4fae
earn tbcy have t^seiH fi»iii»tipMB^ JmrncmapjaJ^^
^Mbte ibdY breed by putting fog|eftbcr «td^^td^
mdft beautiful hidividual^^ an^r ot^abc-^i^
^a^ty*r aiRi:diaib)r tfiis' attantten^> fisllMI
fei^ ages^ thty ba¥e impr<xKwddicr4>o«i0s^beytoiril^
wilat nature identf w^duld Iiav« done jn liMribpaft
l^H^oiittable climate*^ We mtiy ttife «oiidi»4P'
4lM warm ^mat^^adier thin celdy> boe aba«^

ti li0ilWK<>tot% i^rjMiaitJ JiiMtt^;aggi^bcMtg

Digitized by Google"

4o «W(^wil^ tb^optthaa force i^Qh^&i&twPig

bones, h^H^i^ muTclesy .mo«« £ria thao
|i|#fe,>af 9Mr 54u9^e»f ' that ,. althougjb^. heat
j^gff^ {ijetler. thm cold with, tbofe »)iaiiib> yit
inrcefivehf^ dp^. not agree with tbcHti. aod
biUyj ^ <l^ ha^^ ^^^ ^fyofitioa depend
pbnfAi eotii^Ij^ on the chimSe^ foody cam^

; IiiiBi9irfi%^ Acabia,* and many .other «parii'of
Ibq^ifs^ it. is not Gaftoaparjr ta £0d horie%
iltboiigh^ ib ^tmerala {muSUceia-Eun^ and
QUna^^ This, op^atbiv dqpriv^s -tbem cf
smicb of their ftmigth^ oourag^s- ^ firf) but
jidsidaDrttbeni ^gesidey^quiieiy and docije* The
^yJeatmm)i(XfGskimib^Ai^ opemtioor^aits
^pfkd^MtimOmii^ gve^t* Wl^ ^ c^ beiog
«|iM% ]Murt(|d^ WIOi nsi^a to. c^ thejr
^Cjfttffe^t atftcam iii.diAsceAt<ov^ in
imMn^ipf FfanqC'dieygddJMr^es^tiv^^

aAw i% 4iot t^ gejd thsm^talltwa^ (hxee
ynarsi ^becsufiS) ianotdoiiigi^ii^tbati^,tbcQr
fntUYt nm^ qf their. ou^idilie quaiitt^.
lUqiftifS lb»t^:ineverlo^^iniUc^teettijif

them*

.d'by Google

theai. But this i» not a faDrf and it is proi^
babic tkatcheaadefics gnoamded thb&i^fitioit
nitiely on' tbie analogy it bears to the fatting
c^ (he horns of the Aag, geat^-ieOr ^icfay^fai
lealiiy) never ML aS aftsr cidlcation. The
geldings it is tme, can never engendefy but
we have Come tiiAeseseandpiisg of dieir< being
able to copulate^ . r

Horfes of 9i\ ooloars (bed ^ir coats, like
moft animals covered wkhhaiis -once a^year^
ufually in the fpring, though fometiBies^ in m^
tuomi as they ace then weaker tll^an*^ odher
times, they (bould have more care, and be moiie
plentifully fed* There are aUb, hories which
Ibed their hoo&j this ufiially happens ia humid
mariby countries, (itch as Holland..

Qelding.s ^tnd ; m^es neigh , lefii - £req^ca%
than hqr^* Their ieoices ^c Dot'i».flfQag9
but mMoh :more fluiU*. In aU hosibs' we.may
diftingiifiib five kinds ;of neighing, felatiV&Aj(a
difFeren|l;j;^aiBon$i in the neigh,o£)ay/tbe>(M«e:
begins and ends with Oiaip. tones.f tbe^jhorfef
kicks up at the iame time, ^ut without; attempts
ing to ftriJ^e. In the neigh; of jdefir^ ^dhecbee
of love or attaichment, the horie d^a AOt kiok^
and. the vpice is dcagge^ljto. a gf eat. lengthy anA
ends ^ith a deep ibun^ , Thq ^i^igti of '^^fg^
during wbich tb^^orft J^cj;^ Vii^l^Jh^'W^

hia

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KATURiUt HTBTOAY. 165

ilb fe^: is : ihoit. and ikafpi diat of ftar^
d^Hng imhMbJ]ir.kicics:aMb^ i&fi^aredy longer

pax(^4ad foemstAs^f it'Came fisomche miArite

tnly. This neigh is fooiething like- the ftMr^

ing qf-'a ^&ii. Tlntef paiii is mocr like

gi3DaRii^<ar brettittng with •opprefltefiy than of

neighing n it is. in:a gratfe :tQnd of> voice, and

Mows^ihft:allmiatifte'«r r^initioiiii It has

.^Ub^^ Jteea-^Bemadtchi) tfaitriMi^ iribich iieigb -

£pe^piei]df.from joy^ or defifB> are die.4ieft toid

moA'gdtotfond. V Horfes^ in general,* have -tho

VMeiOfonger, ihani i»nr and gddii^ ; from

thftttidytfaa Einl^;har.tha.Toi«f ^ongerthah

dte fanak^ At^wd- j'teEiiSi: otltvro.^rears and a

hal^.whichJs the iige/of- imbe«t)^-tfa)s vtiipeo€

maka^ qind female,, ar m inanl&i^. and: odito

aiHml%beG<mea^miieh m^v^tttG^mi de^.

. s^ Whtt^i^ ^iMHTfe^ is impaffibnedrwHh ^i^r h«

flmmbia^ts^aniddeemsttolan^ hteifteW^t

t^xau aUbr- vt^feen-^eia- suigrj^ and wottU bte;.

H)»'femetitilea/|mta out^s tD£qg^ to Bcfc, butt

l^^ifrsquentfy than the ox^ who^ t|cilw{lii«

flwdmg, is tefs feafiUe to carefibs^ The

hciAri remembecs ^ treatasent' nhu^ it>ng!sr^

andkibi^iw^i|tt3t^i.thiQ:^^ His.tk-^

tttiak^pirit^ atei^&ra^ inAtteo hi«k<ix> nliikeL.

evei|)r fiefibi%' hit wfaeit i» indsr mtere* is ^^

pedied

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i66 ' »b0FFok'$

pe£bd«from him ^han be is able to f^omn he
grows angry, and will not endoavour at aU^i
inftead'Of whicby the ox, wh(^ is flpw^-and id)e>
feldom exerts his utaioftyiaad> is notithe»^o£e
eafdydejc^d* - --'

The 4ioHe fleeps fiiucb leTs ythfltn 4iian> for
when he is in . heakh. he does 'liot reft more
than two or three ^houfs- togedior ;? be then
gets up to eat; , Wh«n^.hei.h2»beefi^muoh£3i«
tigued h&Hes down afisooodtine^ after. having
ca^l but in di^ wfaott. Im* ims mfi^AeGgh^a^om
dian three- or f<mr\ hoars -kr. the t^iraaty^iotu^
There are even fomefhortibs :who>:ncir4sr^Ue
down, but ileep ftfuidiiig>jwinch is^fimeMes
the cafe even with' dio& who tfoire diMra^r :&
hasalfe been rcnmked, 4:hat 'geidings^'ileep
ofteaer and longer than borfes* ' ' -''' ''<'*

Qtaadruped3» do not att drihl!. far jAMr^.faitfe
manner, though they^ all eqtiall)9^%edroo
ftek n^fth diei faead^for ^ lifqunr^ ^whichobey
casmotgetany odiorwa^ excefitUigiche txmfeey^
maea^ and finoe others^ that havehs^tib) had
confeqiKttidy ifarink; Uke: men, what a Y^elfebft
girrai to them which tlhey can:hoUb; foftiR^r
oaery-it tO' thei^ ttmrths, incUidfig:lfae^ bead^
thmwiiig down^'fheii]qudr^:and'6indlowijig;-ft
b^ the AmgU meA<m tqf tdegltfti&dis^ - iMm
ufiudiy' drinfci titdie toituunoer^ bec^iife ^is

moft

d by Google

KATtfRAt HISTORY^ ^f.

•

moft coftvaftieflt^ but he* can drinlc manydther .
wdys, by t^JfltraSing th€f lips to draw in the
liquor, or dipping the nofe and ttiQUth deep
enoiigh \ntd il ferthe' tongue to be environed
therewith,* and then perform the motions ne-*
eeflary for iWallowiiig ; he ci^s alfi> iake in- »
fluid by the jipsakme; andjlaft);^, though ivridi
trioii^ difficulty, ftre^h out the tdngite, ml,
fofmlng a kind* of Kttte cup, carry a ftnaU
i}aaMty of ^water kieo tbe mimth* ' > Moft <|aa4
dniped^ 001^ alfe drink itr fevera} diSbrenC
vnxf^ i boty like men, 'they ^chufe' that^ ^vhkh
fe naoft omrenient:^ The dog,'whofe fAouth
b ^tsf large, and th& tongue kfig and thiA)
drinks by lap{iingy or lickings forisoing with the
ixmgue aJdnd^of citp.orifcoQ!^ iHijiic^bffils e^di
time with a tolerable quaiUity cpf UqttQr,?and fo
'fetiafieft^isihtifft; and diis modebftprefisrl to
that of wetting: An nofe. Theborf<^ m>^
contrtfy) - wbofe mouth ts^ finally:, and'/whefe
tsongne-istoolbortandttuck to form: a^frdop^
and who dways drinks wth^^oaoreiatKidiC}^ than
be'eal9y dips, the moutb. and nofe quidcily.aRd
dneply into the walser, which be liwaHovi^
largely, by the fimpje motion of deghit^ion^
but tiiiarioroes. hifi\ ito iddnk wtdunit fttdiiitg
iiis..bre^) . .mibeteas the dog hfeatbesr^iiit bis
^oaft iidMto ji^4 ji9 -di^tog' :}iuti^ idiettforA

fliould

d by Google

I6& - •U»rDN*8

flunild im fttffered to takeTevel-sybdjranghts^ efyc^
ckUly after tfHnning;' when refpiiraciein- i^ jbert
andiquTck^ th^y fliQuld ^t be fuffited-Co/diink
tbewatei) tda cfAiy hccnvifc ^sA, indjcpendeut
e( the clnlici -whiek ^oU watfer SneqUe^f oc-*
eaiions^ it ficnefKmes bni^ oh.itieiihn; snd
tffiim IkyKdi&faiiJoBjittfm (^ adilbf^ calteditte
glanders^' <the wabOsfwrti^Ah of tfl^tftafa^t^
triiich Ak'SfcxA^of adiniali arib fiibjeA^; fitf it
is IcROwn,! that .tkeieat JDf ;tKe*^aiidds is m.the
pititary. meaibv^hcv aail that it is oonfeqis^iiiif a
real «cld, i^ch'oatifeBan'iiifiaimnatieri ia tint
meiAbirane. 'Tm^^^n, who give ckTb detail
of the maladies of jicirftr iti ivhorr^cKmatesy as
in Ambia, Peffia^ranii'Biaibary, dorniot fay that
tlieghndei« arec^' fi«l{i]|tip dieteiisr m cold
climaftQ and it is :£ar this tcatbu -die can<*
J4^6hi#e ^s»tre$, diat :'this : malady is .boea^
iimed by die tddnitfs of. the watery be*
caufe/the animajis af^a dUiged t^ k«ep.tiic>:iio£e
and^noftriis a> coiifidar^B^: time vimder water
^idi'woyld be prevmitedl^ never giving it to
them cold, «nd- by 'dwayi- ^ipii% the . noflriift
aftiN' ihoy have drank. ' ASks wbo fiac^ cold
morethim hMfea^r and* ^o leftaable them &
ftrdngly iivtbe iM^x\i>r^hniAuvcy areiiot (o fiib-
je^' to the ^tadfters,' which oiay poffihly be
owing to their drinkijig in- a diifinent manner

from

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HATiniAtlWTOItY. 169

ihiai hotfes; fa^^ ioftead o^ Hftiag in the
month and opk deeply into. tte water, they,
faucdy touch ^ with dieir li^«

I iball not ipeafc.of the other difea&s of
bQife$t it would, ^tn ^joiit Natural Hi&orj too
omch to j<w^ |o the biftDry iof on anitn^ chat
of its dUbiidersi nevertbielefsy I omnot leave
the hiilory of |be horfe without regrettiftg diat
the healA of ^is ufeful animal jbojuld . havi?
been hitherto ahandotied to the care, and too«
freqiiendy abford pc^Qe> of ignorant peoj^.
The branch of. phytic, which the ancients
called Veterinaria Medicinaf is at prefent .
fqarcely known but by nan^ I aih perfuaded,
that if fome phyficiatijt ifoujd turn bis views
dtis way, and njake ^is ftud^ his principal
objei£t, he would fo0n find it anftvfr his par*
pofe, both with td^e& to r^utodofi and profit^
toftead of degrading himfelf he Would render
his name ilhiftrioua, and this brancli of pbyfie
wou^ not be fo cpnje^ral juid dtfficuit as tiie
other. The diet^ niaiiners,' and infiuence of
fentiaient] and all other caufes of dHbrder^,
being nuMre figiple in animads ^an ia.mao, the
difeaies muft be lefs cpnipljcated, and cdnfe-*
quently' more eafity inveftigated, and treated

' widi fucceJTs, without mefitioning the advan*
tages that would be deriv^ froih the entire
vot..v. Q^ liberty

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17^ mnttWs

remedies, and to be abk to^dtftHveLiniiliBiil
feauTy or reproMBh toft, gran eMCQt i^^Nviv:'*

SUWjUMSNi:*

ARABIA, it. ha§ 2keaij .bjtexi oh^egiff^
appeafSftobethe Qfigin^l dua^e. <rf^ ^^.|)M^
stni from t^ couqtrj b^u»g fe diry.and >K)9}Eb
aij9ilite ipai^ cuftoms that , caniiQ^ lii^ fs^Q^
ii^.^l^e .iioKtbci;a r«giM^ at )ca& ^fitiH^ff;/^
■kQ. Ia different coui&tries ^)^.no[t Qnljjji)^
cmp different fi^od, Jwt^ffi?, ajij?,di%5^
snafi^ge^ In Arabia^af^d^af^Q^ttiffyFi^^f^i^^
evexj are alloiived herbage or. gr^i^^bi^^pfe
grin^Rsdlaf.jk^ptMpoii da»a ^,'C^'»«i#^
whifkiis gjvqn, t^i?l,flWWg Mfd .j^ifpif^i
they wjjijl^ f^ j^fe^tpf #.J*f^^<S^^
\ . yeart

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NATURAL imrORY. tjl

oMttbtftly iblbw.

/ lA l^evfiai th«^ af« s^fiwfs 4Mpit mthe open
tify being ibaietimes eoi^ervd ^ith cl(Mhes.40
^eRrW^tfHeih O'onl'^Ale 'itKfctndiiey .«f • iht
weather. TIk wfaole troop aie«icd«i a rope,
vriiich IB faftenediittetob end to iron rods fijoe4
in tbe ^iouiimI;. ihejr liaire alTo ropes tied to
their hiodiegs^-aodia&eaQd to pegs ipitbekr
bonU tins latter tenimd is to prev^ot item
&K»Uidoijqg Ally uijiirjr to <iidh odKr; butnot^
wtfhlhnjJHig both Aflennigs, they fiand per-
bSdf Jt eaTe* 8«4 batte Aiff dent room to lie
49WII. TheJ^diNasn^iiie^ofttotbiiigliot
fimdordrytflttft ftr'j^ner} theAnbiani«id
Mc^uls liner diei( hoilbsriinib fthek oimdvOg
daoiti» a poikler. It is^ the ciftom ifi iImIo
i^imtii#« ^ot to let jtbe^; boffes eaft {hmi rim
ffbtiod, tr'fMHb/hu(^t^c<in|bttlyp^^ tbdt
bar% and cut'Atsuvf into!? ^gf» ««rftlcKinre tied
mm4 their necks, - Iia,%^ thejr ^oied tlMf
graft ^md greu barkf» hut ^sM^ i$ ^tlcien tliat
thejr fliooldnot have too imsdn* wpona fy^po^
fitioft they wouH <bon llaqome ftt and ufefefii.
They never ufe hridkt oi^ 0mups, hut tefdy
manage their horfes wi A a tfinglid filaffle ; whipg
aod ^urs ztc aHb feMom onplpyed, and one
ortwoftrokeaofthefemiiJr isiiiBcicttt at all
0.2 ^mes

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I7» '•^:.imwm%v:

Perfia are very taU, ftrongt/ ai^;ibpietm«is
hMf^^aqdi firottk cjb«t)g;fo ^o^ die bef of

ii9Cft ca ther^meiide, iriuebMiclIss; ^rt^^ .
adopt da tafy.pabCi^ ^y^oiJKt their looflr^

witb^i^fiore cflfev ;- ? -,--., .1 i- vi- v.. j.!'>
J :jHQde% Jhoifforer, teecdk^^^itett iUi^(Mr«s
vmrm c^Mttiies^ if "riie^^flane fMidfuigif. £>eib-
narli;;, Sweden^' aai Potan^ it ii !ireU?]w«wa»
produce fine and betu^Ad fal^fea^ Ktbofer la
lc^9Xi^iy9bfiiK^t6^i»^i!^vt9 and wbi^
llM9fitquendy bave notfm^bvt (^j^d^^bfto
fiibf^ i^iH tbcHi^ fcuJJf.- ^r«r ftroipg; jsa4
viSwrous* In ibis Ifland ^ ft«p|ier4»:,«M
dieir flotks on bofftbacfe^^for dii^ m^ both
rlQQty, and tbdr keep is not metti^irvi^^y
t9cpe»ce» Wbcm not ^miiI^ tbcy areijtiurned
1Mb iii«» tiiQ moiifitQiiis- wbiere d)6y fooiirbf
come nilMs^ if ihar o]g^rs^ ivatmnheii^ ihey
ale httiHed in troops^ and ^^laigbt fwi^ ropqf)
vrfucb istboaghtneceflaeyMi^n d^^niueshaye
fi^aled, die owners- <^ v^H^b puta^mrk ,i^ti
ti^^ibalsy aod xtben t»m tkooi^ into tbe hiq^a-
taina ag^ for |he fpace rpf Are* yea^s. aad
it is gemiaUy rcsnaiKbed that thofe left m Ait
V - i manner,

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^ NATOill^l'lilSTOItY. 173

'^ Thfc K6nrtghtt liortter^olWS aJ^itB«ift*tjr

Mtt4>ti^'> "dl^Tftsibghdt i(arts\tif ^,laifd' flbA^nd

jki^^md^ t(id[r''MHkld ^ovidftpai&ft- «i^.
^^ tftifr fciali^ ^ncrdJf ytM^wi lanthia black
ihnpe along their backs. Thej'iwc frqquchtly
"afiljftdledfbytht'rt^^atid i£'ift ftrifioariis^pens
««ip£S antot)|[thefiiiare^ and fba]r%><wiieQiMrdo-

Wln^V^a^d h^ thb fegacity to attsurk with' h^
«^^^f«^ in yh\ch cafe he •aimioA always '&
<«>fftt^i¥br,* But if We e^rer trdte^ wWr Wftd
Ifgs S»^li^^ritonttart!5y nAdufcd^ '^^' h^t^iik
te^ d^^lk^g ^pon Ills baok, wJiich4i6 mht
4W<sliTftiI5^*hasSvoiried[hknt6deithJi »^*?^
x*ri5i^.t(f'©tdtshid hwfes are*alfofmiJlr^fl4iC'5|
fe^fpW*t^"gia^?aHeflBXrfey^ th«;th'« neawT^Wft
nppm^'tiy p6tethe'mmfeditftimitfv(f'aw tli'eidi
Sftlkrfsi-^'Tni^fer c# tte W«ft NdWBmidraw
fl«StTaii9»«idfe j-'flte'tfjl^f |^nr ot ' theliPltffesJit
fcH^,<Jiif*^ti* uni^ feSrt^ ftrid wWioai 4itti1'r
(hey^ar^i'g&iftt^alty ifeif'teiftpemti^'fitt*i.fdoi^
a«<}tmrt»«<«flgl4^^ifoUrttafns Wifti *€^
ftesdMe^'torpiJ-fl^efto^. --iThe^psftte^geiof
m e6\Myi^ ai^eli^vHiHt' thi»' hd1«^ are
' * 0,3 always

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174 WETM*.W s

cver^thejr fooit<iDii$ if- -Ats^ sm .tadBcirtD Stotk^

ii oitried ts^^dbe Nfii-dland 3ie tbotj T«c9vi3r$;.^ > i^
. The JapflMBde hQt68'ai^iifaiaH9<4vdaiiei^ad<b
tiKiTe ofvOkiiBf altboii^ M«4xii)i^e^ <^

frcm fiheniioimtniotts parts 4>f Aofi^ Odumrtt^j
Tfaofe of Tonqoifv aicootding'to M« RhcM^
aie;firiongf of a tolerA^e fire^^aul' very e^ty
BumaMcL . ' ••' ^^

Hc»tfe% as before Femarked, there is efe/y
reaioD tx> believe were unknown in AaM^tft
oa its iirft difcovery, but v^on beifi^f dtUlfr
ported, thither they multiplied in^ a moft fufw
prifit^ onacsier, efptciallyui ChSi) which^ ad
M« Frest^.resnarks^ia tfae.more ftifprifiog}
fuiGe the Indiims lulled maoy to cat^ and nma^
bers. through fatigue and frotn want of pii^ee
cafC.. In the Phillipsne Iflaodsalfo hpriea
that were taken^ from Europe increafed in aa
aAoQiflmg manner ki^vei^ji (hort tBtie*< - 'i
, Horfea are fofieredtoliKeoRldtfi die Ukraine^
anu>ng die Coflacks;^ on thBirivncJDon^ here
timy go in troops of four or. fivciJiundredto-
gether^ fddcMOd aitencfed.with mxiDe than one or
two meo^n lnorfeback'; itiey^JBtiveieUom any
flielter w)ien.:tbe ground, is jeveaicoveped.VQdi

ihow«

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KATuatAAiHitfroRr* fjs

Ijim^ jifbiotr tjlKjDibfsq^c laogyinMh t&eir(4Wt

Yi^b^jLwinfiefSfBad tbca\bfUIi% afcvrtditjE9,

iiopi fttibis piea&if e. : He eimos} alfo to %sre a
f^;)g»}d&:c<tntnuid^ and vogujAtcf) Iheie move^
ifmH^ vhen.Art^$;k^d;igr volifies or;r0bbsrs4
in this Atuation he aiTumes entirely tbeibufiads
^iA^cgoiom^ins^.ii&i^i «nd .1$. bii%. en-
gig^/iiuYing jtha whde (ime> ia tcaverfixtg
xntmi ib^ troops^ and if he percelvH zny oqc
of'.'lth^kt places he puihes^ tbein witk/hi«
ftoMUef^ apd a&ually coo^Is ibem to reiitme
ibcut'ibitiom . .Without bmug arranged by meti
they xnaFch in. peifeft cerder, and pafiure in
pei;&^ files or brigades^ without evei: sdjong
or fepiaracingt Qotwithftapding-thdy are, at pcr«
ftAlibesfty^ and itridiout the ifmaUeft Montreal.
It is no k(s,faigal^>.tbat^ieir. chief gebcrs^y
l^saintaiei^ his ^tuadoafor four or five jextSj
faathe.no <ao]isr:di£bdveiA thAie^iytaipteins.of
inai&yity dian ibme one. will oooid out of the
hocd.aad'.^ack. Jiim;-. if he conquers he con«
t^naes-the catxamal^ bat if iiabdued be is
toocd to fidl-inoo^thQ \nui|$, a'tid the vidor

becomes

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, <rherfcorfes ffi Firiand^iii'ifoiia^ thid fiiaw

^ ^ipoti tNt fekrtiging to aH€*hfer«4)DfS' fli^u^
^oihifrg;j m this ftiinlicf ' ftey/tdftfiil§e ^W
^fee wfelte thfere temains iA/ paftMi^j^feft d^
itftft^bttbmW^ fca«?e ttey' a!i Ylifefbh^'^ffqRit

cbri^afcd wiA'fi> Ytjuch oVd^*f-SinH"fcgaKft^
dfci fte bwrtcis knovjr exafity '^Ke're i6 *Sfi*
thSrvhoffe^ t<4xfcri ftey-Mve'otcafiorf fBr ffierS^

the f^t^tc&'itttf^ffetd'vvi^ A'^^ r^him

feScK bf ^emClVcs,^ »sM ' kgifii'' J«i «i^ bW
tr6b^: ' th'thr^triartrirf the]^^rSn3ITn'iffl^^
Ac hicmth' ^'September, Si^eti ' ififi apffroach

goiarty^prbceeds t6 3Bfe'-'wh'*iB*t, ^ At iftis

time

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fatigue they undergo in the winter, togfUlxsr
m^ ^ £gnaiksihav^aoct ssl proytfioha^ f ery

fimi|iaf^j^ti9Aer.j|0rfe df^othgndfa. ^
-4^/<te.i|ijlBd,^.^-H9k^ <ki9re.'iai;e .wild

i^f3ipi^,-a^ 10^ auFwl bemg4afc«n,. ^ foAeu
le^p^ from vecy.: hi^ precipices inta ttie .fta*
In Ifaeriirighb^uriiood o(lAiff9$ thfrfnnt Ibino

a^ >3ctrQmciy ^mclttftrkMi^.- Thi ho^rfiss. in
^* Qmiiiagiy^^re^ ar^ntdcBe Xiau^ sm^.^oug^
s»;vt]^ bf %sitt ^e dAugh( iMridir4%)pe» 4)^
feldom '6ec^n^ dk)cile| but g^mer^y :r^i9BiA
ttfddls^ and almoft uninanagestble. ^Ifi.Vii:*
gima tjiei^e ave aHb horfi^y of dqfaefttc ^ig^iy
yet, fcom* feeding in the woodi^ are V;wy fc-s^
fiDciouSy and shard (a l^e ^en^ ai^d i/irfaen
caught they remain ^xcee^iiigly ftubbqrJ?« .

In fiwue |«rts of Tar-tary, thtgr midc^ ufe of
large, birds of prey to hunt their /wUd hocies )
they ^e. taught 'to feise him by the neck or
head^updn which he btsoff wlth^,the.greateft
fpeed^ and' continues, running untU be, is quito
exhaufled, without ^4>eiiigr able to. es^n^to

himfclf

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' 1^ BDtFOil% ' '

bimfeif hem iiU ionmatoti^ . The^nriM liqrite
of the Mongotts, and/ K«fc» 'T^tai^ <ai« ^
fivift ifhac diey ofiien '£fiiqie^Ae:umiiiw,io&ltl#
Booft expert tn»icrs;^ithey ^i m i i jiji j ipi^p iie»
hrgf{ larnikiEfsttogcdKe^aiidaf twttfDantfto^
near th^y .mH <Qncoiind^thicm«)-^kHi|[d& {dMfdm:
ftaoriy take to fi^^ . TkertAm^^efart^Jutu^
ber of wild Horfes in Congo; tfacgr^iltiiMtlJuiK
ken jst tbe Cape of Good Hope, hut the' iow
kaUtants prfifexring diofc fr^m f criia tb^ on
firarcdf ever .canght. .J

: Ifi ihe cadffttrt of lfafe:i«K)kI'BttQ»ckkl^
^ fcem Ae obfervatioQs of liocfe-Jbiceden
k yam 4ihe general. «eceii^^,opiiMi% itec the:
a»b Ind more sJifiiience ttpon.lhe o&priag
itMfk the^flnle^ and L thm ftegeftod Am
aeafiMft idkich^mdisfod jcno ate vier; 4:)ubi^
bitf jeafrriinecos aod-ipMerAaMlis .faar^ ifitim
Cowrifltod BM^ thu dwr Aift 4«e& mt ^^aly lioki
good inMi dret^otea to 4K>ff^ 1^
hiifliiaQ UMBe^^asid 4nv0ver]r ^cciesEof ^inmid%
that tbe^male hae ii«fi«iM}F {»o»e jnlWio^tCi^'
^ .SKeeyior foim cf the yooti^ tthao.^i^ 1c^^
aude> asid that kein 4$& ki^ho^jie^f <the <aee.<
Nor iioe9^j(be ireawMc I have niad^* tet Hie'
fomks (Mofticete ttK^-iuu^of the ^ie^ ttr*
the kaft •<K)9d?oyert •ii»s> poficieib ^ca^ *Aae
camuat be AtttHded fttfiter tfattti'her pdBkSiAg

the

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NATUIMA KlfTORY. 179

THE ASS.

Tbi§; pesfj^. fiioililsude ia ,<x>»liQf n^tj^ of tiM
^$n9.I^i3g|^ ftopiacb^ lot^ftiiMl €e«dui% fatafrt^

b^oc^.g^ ctl^ v^yi^ Jh^t^ fe^iani die cntimr
(](^^^ . fi|gpa{$s this G|iinj]9«» t We nosiji
4^#^i^(^'^ flight ^ewnsesy ivhick ^te '
fou9d.j3#ci^6|i :tiie£^two aiaumisy. to tbe io^*
fluency of tb^ qUn^»C« aad hfs^ .and to ihe
for^ti^^l^ (^c^i^ji -of .many gjtneratbsai o£

rating,

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l8o BV»FOM'«

jatiiigi hxn^ at hft^ p f o Aic cd a nor aad fixti
fpecies ; er^ rather a fucocfioa of individitala
alike^ ail ridaied in ibe faoK t n aa a cr» fiifli*
ctendy differing frcNO a korfe^ to be looloeJ
upon as anodier l{wck$. Wlnt ifipeflr* ao
fimEour diis idea is, tet hprles vaiy awdi aiQis
than afies in tbnr colour; thej hate code*
quently been lot^jer doaieftic, foice all do*
meftic animals vary much mare in thdr
colour than wild ones of die finae fpecies.
The grealter number of wild hories, of wluch
travellers fpeak, are iinall, aad bzv^ like the
aft, grey hair and die tail naked and frizzled at
the end: There are aUb fome wild horfes, and
even domeftic ones, which have a black ftripe
on the back, and other marks, wbkh nwiy
refemble bodi wild and domeftle afis.

Again, if weceniider the difference of the
temperament^ di^Kifiddn, and manners; in a
word, the organization of thefe two ammals,
and, above all, the impofibUity of mi»ng the
breed, (b as to make one common ^leciesi or
even an intermediate ipecies which may be re-
newed ;. it am>ears a better iburnkd opinion to
think that thefe animals are of a fpecies equally
ancient, and originally as eflfendnlly different as
they are at prefent The afs difiers materially
from die horfe in die finalliieft cf die fizct

large-

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MATV»AliJ»;?TORV. ?8l

Viq|4M^-ll£jtb^J)e^ l?Og|b of the c^r?^ hv^
1Mb. eL&eiki% PfMi^^Ai #/:?jt r^^l?^*?

4ii&> liwfiit ^. AOn^s. f^m? . qngif)^}^ from
^£ini«.|bpdp.?: aire, 4lV^ -V-tfi^ffw?. %pily»
•or not ? JMod Ijay* 1^31 npt^^jyayv, be^n,,diiF«r
;icnt amtQuUi • ..'T' ;, . ....
]■ ;.TAis^g|pi«ftip||of.wbig]^ pllAV)fPJ>^^s will fiad
itke^^geaqr^tt^s dificuItjzirr^Wt i;oo&quence^,
4«nd. which yi^ Ixpat of .in ^xSax^mkkf «l>ec^uie

-^OMdUbf .cMititfe, UDde^' J^.ntiw ^iot, of .view.

If from- the tnip[¥^e yariety q( apUoated brings

^whidi^peoj^ tbe^niv.^9 M^.^fenTefAa fiiima],

^or evpi the iwly. jrf pa% rtot^iCerye^a^ ^./w«l^

W2g^ <f com^Ubn^ the .otb^r oigani^ed brings,
W^ fludlivid thai: eadirpdObf^s ^aa indep^i^dent
cx(^Bce> aruih^hat all ^ary, .by.difiirent gijida-
tioaS) ^dmoft.ip.iji^Aityi Afi^pxi&s alfo, at

^tfaeffanle tiipe^ ». primitive suid^jgeiierjil defign,
which we may rtrace yery- for, ,s^iid jj)f fVs^bich

,tiie'|(hrdatioiis .are. much flower rihi|p Ithofe pf
the fon») tiHi/<;t^rrap{K(reiit nlations, for,
"fpi^y^ ti' ' ' without

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itl BtlFFON'S

Uritiiout mentioning the organs of dtgeftiofl,
circuladbk), and generation, ^hich appemin -
to all animals, and ivithout which they could
neither fubfift nor reproduce, there is even ia
the parts which contribute moft to the variety
of the exterior form a prodigious refemblance,
which Bcceffarily calls to our minds an origind
defign, upon which all feem to have been pro*
je£bed and executed. The body of a horfe,
for example, which, by a fingle glanfce of the
eye, appears fo different from the body of a
man, when it is compared part by part, inftead
of furprifing by the difference, only aftonifhes
1)y the Angular and almoft perfect refemblance.
%n hStj take the ikeleton of a man, bend
downwards the bones of the pelvis, (horten
thofe of the thighs, legs, and arms, lengthen
diofe of the feet and liands, join the phalangeSf
lengthen the jaws, by ^ortening the frontal
tone, and extend die <pine of the back, diis
ikeleton would ceafe to repr^fent the remains
of a human figure, and would be the (keleton
of a horfej for it is eafy to tuppofe, that in
lengthening the fpine of the back and jaws we
augment, at the fame time, the number of the
yertebres, ribs, and teeth; and it is only hy the
,liumber of thofe bones, which may be .looked
iipon as acceflbry, and, by the prolongajtion>

Ihtf

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KATURAL HISTORY. l8j

ihc fhortening, or jun£lion> of the others, that
die (keleton of a horie differs from that of the
human, body. We fee in the defcription of
the horfe thefe fa<£ts too well eftabliihed to
doubt s but, to follow thefe relations fiill farther^
let us coniider feparately fome ef&ntial parts of
the ftruiSlures for example, we find ribs in all
quadrupeds, in birds, and in (ifh ; and we find
the veftiges even in the ihell of the turtle*
Let us alio confider, that the foot of a horfe^
fo difierent in appearance from the hand of a
man, is, notwithftanding^ compofed of the fame
bodes> and that we have> at jhc extremi^ of
each of our fingers, the fame little bone re«
iembling a horfe-fhoe» which temunates tht
foot of tKat animak From this we may judge
if this hidden refemblance is not more marveU
lous than the apparent differences ; if this con^
fiant conformity and defign followed from man
to quadrupeds, from quadrupeds to cetaceous
animals, from cetaceous animals to birds, from
birds to reptiles, from reptiles to fifh, &c« in
which the efTential parts, as the heart, inteflines,
(pine, fenfes, &c. are always found, does not
imply, that, in creating animals the Supreme
Being has followed but one idea, and varied
it, at the fame time, in every pofEble manner,
R a ^ that

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184 wxrroM*f •

that m^ may equally admire the magnificence,
execution, and fimplicityof the defign.

In this point of view^ not only ther afe and-
Borie, but man, moidd^s, quadrupeds-, and alf
ammsds, may be looked upon ar -making but
one family J but ought we, therefore, to con-
clude, that in this great and numerous &mily,
which the Almighty has conceived tod created*
from nothing, diere are (mailer' families pro^';
)e£ted by nature, and- produced* by time? fonw
df which ^rtr compofctf only of two individuals,-
as ththorfe and: the afs-j othfers of fivcral m-
dividuds, as the wtazei,^ the pole-cat^ the
ferfet, &t. and* alfo that in' vegetables there ar^^
AmiUes of ten, twenty,' thirty pl^ts, &c. I?
lihefdfainiltes'exifted, in'-feit, they could oid/
Be fornied by the mixfure, the &<:b6ffivd varia-
tion, and the degenation of the original fpeciesi
^d, if we admiti for once, that there' aW h^'
ihilies in plahts and animals, that the a(s is' of
the family of the horfe, and that he Only differs'
bec^ufe he has degenerated; we may fey, with'
as much propriety, that the monkey belongs la
the family rf man, and he is a man degenerated jf
that man and the monkey had true one <com!-'
mon Origin, likevthe horfe' and afsj tiiat eacif
femily, •as'well'in animals as* i^r'-Ti%etabIes^
conie from the femenorrgin^ aad even that all

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NATURAL HISTORY X85

animals are come from one fpecies, which, in
the fucceffion of time, by improring and de-
generating, has produced all the races of ani*
mals which now exift*

The naturalifts, who have fo eafily eftabliihed
families and vegetables,, do not ieem to have
conlldered, th& w;aple extent of theie confe-
quences, which would reduce the immediate
produiSl of the creation, to any number of in.-
dividuals however finally for^ if it was once
proved, that animals and vegetables were '
•really divided into families^ and that there was
a fingle inftance of one {pedes having been
produced by the degeneration of another;, if it
was true,, that the afs was only a horfe de-
generated) there would, be no bounds to the
power of nature, and, we might with equal
leafon fuppofe, th^t from one fingle individual
being, in the courfe of time, (he might have
fptodaced all the organized bodies whicltare now
^read over the univerfe..

But it is certain,rJ>y revelation,, that all crea^
Jtures have equ^ly participated in. the favours
of creation^, that the two firft of each fpecies^
.were. formed by the. hands of the Creator, and
we puglit to believe,, that they were then nearljj
iiich as they appear at. prefcm in their defcen-
dants» Beiidesj^ fince Nature has bc^n obferved
: I.*.. * R J ^with* -

Digitized by VjOOQ IC

a86 mttotf^

with attcntToii) from tht time of Arinodc to tlte
prefenty not a fiogle new fjpecies has beea feuiy.
notwithftafiding the rapi^ mctioa thut drags oily
or diflipates the parts of matter^ nbtwithftandiil^
the infinite munber of combifiatioiis which
muft have been in the fpace of twenty centuritSy
notwhhftanding the ^Ditukous coupKags (fS
'different animals^ from which nodiingbas eves
refultedbut vitiated aod fterife individuals^. anA
fuch 2^ haire'noHbe^n ^fe to become a ftock
for new genen^Jlonsl- Were the exterior and
interior refennblance in (bme anloiais ftiU greatet
dian they art between the hosfe and die 9&f we
t)ught not to confound Atto aiumals, nor give
them to one common origtni for [if they, ijs.
fad, came from the fiune ftocky we ought
bring them back to thetr original ftate by new
alliances, and undo by time^ what time is abeadf
fiippofed to have done. • •>

We muft alfo confider^ that altfaougk nature
proceeds by gradual,, and frequently by imper*
teptibie degrees, the ihitdrvidsf are not always-
the fame. Hie nu>re exalted the ifcdes the
fewer they are. irt number, and the Ihadetf by
which they are fcfparated, arieniore conli»cuous>
&e fmaifer fpecies, oil the contrary, are ver]^
Numerous, and have more affiruty- to each
other, fo that we are tfad mote tempted to coo-

, fount

(' Digitized by VjOOQIC

ifettiij ArtfA* tagedier in dKf lame 'fimSy ; Init
%elli6ii)d not fiNrgtt'tiuit thefe fiuniUes are our
cwnvfori^ ^ dut we lum» made them feftbecale
«f owr monbrie^ that if we cannot coofpahea^
&e real reladcMis^of all beingp, it is <Hirfelves>
notnatme diat is ki faulty niio iaiows notdiefe
preeended&nnlies ; and^ in £i£t> oontains onl]f
individuals. -• '

' An indtvidual is a ieparate detadied beings '
and has^nodiifig in dbmoion with, other, beings
ttcepting that it refianUes, or rather difitrs
fr«m tbeffir AU fimilar individuak wiiicb exiSr
on the earthy are confidered as compo^Qg the
{pedes of diofe indKiriduals.' Notwidiftanding^
it is nei^r die number nor eolk^n of
fimilar individuals^ which form Hie ipecies^ but
the conftant Ibcceffion and renewing of tHefe
individifids which conftitute them ;< ftir, a being,
which exifted for ever Would not be a fpecies^
Species then is an abftrad and general term,,
the meaning of which can oi^^ br determined
tai- by confidmng nature in dwr- fuc^efion of
lime^ and in the conflant deftru£tion .and re*^
newal of beings. It is by comparing the pre*^
lent ilate of nature w^ diat W th» patty and.
a£lual individuids with fonneri AAt ba$ given
IIS adear idea of what is called ipecies ^ for a
tompftriiM of the Aumber or reiemblance of *

individuals -

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.indmduals, IS only- ah acceflbry idea, aifd fr^
'qitendy independent of the firft y for, the a(s
•refembles the horfe. more than the barbet the
greyhound, notwithftanding the* latter are but
ene fpeeies, iince they' produce fertile indU
yiduals, but the horfeandiafs are^ certainly of
different fpeeies,- fitice ^ey produce together
vicious and unfruitful individuals.

It is thien* in Ae chara6ieriftlc di verfity of the
^cies, that the (hades of nature are the moft
fenfible and beft marked ; we may even fajv
that thefe (hades between the (pecles are the moft
equal, and leafb variable, fi»ce wq may aly^ays
clrawa.Une of fepar^tion between two fpeeies r
that is, between two fucceffi^ns of individuals^
who reproduce and pannot mix, as we may
alfo unite into one L fpeeies two fucceflions of
individuals whiah would reproduce by mixing*
This is the moft fixpd point that we have in
Natural Hiftory ; all other r^fetnblances, and
differences that we can make in, the i^omparifon
'0f beings^ are neither ^ft) eofjftanfo^re^j nor
€ertain. Thefe interv^lsrare the only, lines of
feparation that will be' fo<in4ia<th^is ^ork| we
fliall not dividp^Qii3gS:>^iriv]fe th^, they are
in B£t :. eaqh 4>9<^iesi ^^ (ucce^A of indU
viduab which I'eproduCe aM cannot' mix, <will
be con(ider^^ap^. and treatfd /efpi^ately^s

and

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M ATUR Ai HIST0IIY* 1^9^

lAid we Aall only make ufe of fiuxuiiesylcmdni
drders, iand clafle^ wbich are: macked out by
Nature herfclt

Specks^ dien, being nbtbiiig oiare dianaL
conftant Ikcceffian of. individuajs alikct and
IfFhich re[MX)diice, ought qplj to extend tx> am«»<
mals and vegetables, and that it is only aa
abttie^f the teraii, andconfounding ideas whea
dbd-Jto {Mint but ths-di^reot kipds.of mine^
ndi»^ 'JWfffliouldnokthBcubqkxih.ironaaon^
i^itt, ^amlivad aft^n^tii^r fpesies^ .but only aa
tW difoent' metatsr and Oioald. be diftio^
gttiflMd' by lines of ieparatioa difiereat .&Qjm
tboTc made^ ufe of with sefysStto anii^ala wsi

.: But br leturn to thadegeperattoa of b^iogl*
and particularly to diat of ammala Let uft
exBBiiar more neairly fljll, .the flepa of. natiir^
in the variety which flie ofSacstoour vtew^.^
anc^ as dieiuimaa fpecies is b^&^ known to us»
let us obferve how far thele Aepi of variiitioft
eadsnd. MeB> differ in colour fromJiIack. ta
white, they differ alfo one half in. their.height»
bulk, li^tnefef ftrength, Sec and above all ia
their underflandiqg»i but this lafl: qualigr
having noting to do wid» mattery ought not
Mo be coAiidered bepa The others.are tfab
tfual t«uiatioi» of natnreit pcciceodipg fronb

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the Influence of climate and food ; but, thel^
differences of fize and colpur do' not prevent
the Negro and the White, the .Laplander and;
Patagonian, the Giant /and Dwarf, from
mixing together, and producing fertile in«».
dividuals ; and confequently theie men, fo dif-^
ferent in appearance, are all of one if>ecies>:
fince this conftant reprodu&ioo is thatwhid^:
conftitutes diftio^k fpecie&; Befides theffc
general variations^ there are others m(»re ^par^i
ticular, which are alfo perpetuated ;fuch- as! the;
At enormous legs of the m^n who are caUed:
ctf the race of St. Thomas, in the ifbhd of
Ceylon; the red eyes and white hair of .d[ie:
Dariens and Chacrelas, the fix fingers smd.toes^
in certam families, &c. Theie iingular vz*
rieties are either accidental de&ults or exceHes^
which originating in fome individuals are pro-
pagated from race to race^ like hereditary de**
feds and difeafes ;; but thefe differences ihould
not be regarded as forming feparate fpecies,.
fittce the extraordinary races of thefe mea
vntk large legs, or fix fingers, may mix with
the ordinary races, and produce fertile individuals-
The fame, thing may be faid of all other de-
fbrmities communicated from, parents to their;
children. Thus for the errors of Nature, andi
the varieties. anu)ng^ men extend^/and. if there.-
*-•- ; , ■ .arc

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NATURAL RISTOET. ig\

are individuals which degenerate ftill inore9
'ihofe Individuals reproducing nothing, nei-
dier aker the conftancy nor uniformity of
Ae fpecies. Thus man conftitutes but one
and the fame ipecies, and, though this fpecies
is perhaps more numerous, inconftant and
irregular in all its actions, yet the prodigious
diverfity of nourifliment, dtmate, and fo many
o&er combinations as may be fiippofed, have
not produced beings different enough^ from
each other to conftitiite new. fpecies, and at
Ae ikme time ib. like ourfelves,' that we are
not able to deny but that we are of the fame
race.

If the Negro and the White could not pro-
create together, or if their bffspring remained
unfruitful, they would be two diftinA fpecies;
-Ae negro woifld be tonian,^what the afs is to
the horfe ; or raflier, if the white w-s the man,
the negro would be a diftin£l animal like the
monkey, and we might with reafon think, that
the white and the negro ihad not Ae fame com-
mon origin. But this fuppofition is denied by
Ae faft ; for fince zA varieties of men can com-
municate together and tranfmit their kind, all
men muff have come from the &me ftock, and
9te of the iamc femily. '

When

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When'two Individuals of the &mt fpecies
cannot produce together,, it is poffibtyocca^
'fioned by fome flight diiFerencc of teoi^ni*
^ment) or accidential fault in the organs of ge«
' Iteration. For t^ individuals of diftbrent
ipcciesy to produce other individuals -iifhich do
not rtfemUe die one or the other inxio fixed
particuUri .and can confequendy prodiice nq«
.thing like diemfidvefiytt^re n^eds but a cer-
tain degree of conforniit7^-1)et^Kmi the« forms
of dieii; bodies, and their organs of-generadpt}.
'£ut what an^iautienre nutitbei: of combinations
lare even mtOfCbvyy even to fuppoie^ that two
animals, male and female, of a certain fpecies,
.have Co much deg^entted as to form- a new
'ipecies, and are no4onger able to produce vntft
^y of their own kind .but themielves ! And
ralib tofuppofe that the produ£ttoa of thefe tv9p
^dfcgenerated animals.ihould follow. exa^Uy the
'fiune hwa which are obferved in,tb!e procrea-
tion of perfe£l animals^ for a degenerated. ani-
.mal is itfelf a vitiated produ^Hon ^ and how can
a' vitiated,' depraved origin, become a new
.ftock, and not only pro^ce a conftant fu^-
ceffion of beii^s, but even to produce • them
in the fame manner, and by following the
fame laws which reproduce-animalsi the origin '
(Q{ Vi^ch are pure and uncorrupted i

Although

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NATURAL HISTORY. I93

: Although we cannot deihoniftrate that the
produ£ti6n of a new fpectes, by degeneration^
is a thing impoffible in nature, yet. the number
of probabilities to the contrary render it in*
credible, for if fome Q)ecies have been pro-
duced by the degeneration of others, if that of
the afs abiblately originated from; the horfe it
can only have happened by a fucceffion of im-
perceptible degrees^ and there muft neoeflarily
have been a great number of intermediate
animals, the firft of which would Imve diifered '
but (lightly in itsnatqre from the. horfe, and
the latter would have .approached, by degrees
to that of the afs. Upon the ground of thit
fuppodtion we might alk what is become of
thefe intermediate beings? Why do, \ye not
fee their reprefentatives, their defcendants^
and why do the two extremes alone re^
main? >

^ The a(s is then an afs, ind net a horfe j]e« '
generated^ a horfe with a naked tail. The
afs is neither a ftrange^,- an intruder, nor a
baftard; he has^ like all other animals, his fa*
mity, his fpecies, and his rank;Jiis blopd is
pure and untainted, and although his race is
Jefs noble, yet it is equally good,^ equally an-
cient, with that of the horfe. Why then i^
there fo much contempt for an animal fo good,
VOL. y. S fo

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194 iuTFoif'^

fe patUftt, f6 ftesdy) and fo ufeful i Do men
de^xiie, even among animals^ thofe which ferve
them bcft) and at the finalloft expence? We
educate the horie, take care of, inftni£l^ and
exercife him, whilft the aft is abandoned to tho
power o( the loweft fenrant^ or the tricks of
(Children, fo that inftead of iniproving he mnft
lofe by his educfeition, and if be had n6t a fund
df good qualities he would certainly lofe tfaem,.
by the manner in which he is treated* He is-
the fport of 'die nifties, who beat him with-
ftaffsf abufe, overload, and mske him work be-*
yond hfs ftrength. We do not confider that
die afs would be in himfelf, and, widi rtfyc^
to us, the moft beautiful, bcft-formed, and
moft dtftinguiflied of animals, if there were no
horfe in the world ; he, however, holds the
feooiid inftead of die firft rank, and it is from
th^t only diat he appears to.be of no value. It
is comparifon alone degrades htm ; we look at,
and give our opinions, not of himfelf but com*
parativf ly with die horfe. We forget that he
is an afs, that he has all die qualities of his
nature, all the gifts attached to his fpecies, and
only think of die figure and qualities of die
^horfe^ which are wanting iii hmi) and which he
ou^t not to havet ^^'"^"'>v

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KATURAt mSTORV. ^95

He is naturally a» lHimU«t patient, ^nd qtxkt^
86 ^ horfe is proud, ardent, and impetuoas t
be fciffers wkh conftancy, and perlu^s with
eoiirage, chaftifement and bif^Hira; : ht i» tHo*^
derate bolh as to tti« qcupllty and q«tafity cf
his food I he is conlented wkl^ tb« hardeft and
moA <fiiagr«6able herbs^ whiqh'lbe horfe> and
pther afiiiiials, w31 kave wi A ditdaiii 1 ho ia
very delicaf^ wich refpedl to bia water^ for he
WiU drink AOae but the clearefl^ a^d from
rivulett which he i» acquainted witb| be driiike
ai modoriitely ^he eatiy and does not put hia
mik in the Water tiitonk^ fear^ as S^tbe £iy^ of
theflndi^cif hia^ara: ascarcxs ii<^ taken 10
too^b bkxt he fikqueaily rolii on the grafc^
Ibiftles, aad ift Ae ikft^: Wbkaut legar^b^
bit kmd far lies damk ind r^ik is often at. he
fSaiiy and Sttamf^j to leproaoh Us nmftec for
tte little care Vo takca <j£ btlD» for he'nevef
wailDWSi ia the mud or in the water; .he e\ren
feirs t6 wet his feet, and wiU turn out of hia
toad to avoid it ; his legs aielaUb drier and
cleaner than tboTe of die hor&; ht is fulbeptihk
of edueationy and fotai have heen feen fuffi-*
ciently <fiicipUned £br a public Ihew*

When young they are /prigh^y, handfome^

light and even graceful^ but they ibon lofe diefb

qualivits either from age or bad treatment, and

S 2 become

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196 * BtFFdK*^

become flow, ftubborn and headftrong. The afs
is ardent in nothing but love, or rather when
under the influence of that paflion he is (o
furious that nothing can retain him; he has
bceja kn6wn to exhauft himfeU by exceflive in-
dulgence, and die fome moments afterwards*
As he loves with a kind of madnefs, he has
alfo the ftrongeft attachment to his progeny.
Pliny aflTures us, that when they feparatc the
motherfrom her young, (he will go through
fire to recover it. The afs is alfo ftrongly
attached to his mafter, notwi^iftanding he is
ufually ill-treated ; he will fcent him at a dif-^
tance, and diftinguiih him from all odier men.
He alfo knows the places wliere he has lived
iuid the ways which he lias ft^uinted. His '
i^yes are good, ^d fmeU acute, efpecially with
T^ard .to females; his ears are excellent^ which
has alfo contributed to his being numbered
among timid animals, who it is pretended have
all long ears, and the hearing extremely deli-
cate. When he is overloaded, he ihews it by
l6wering his iiead and bending down his ears ;
when greatly abufed, he opens his mouth and
draws back his lips in a moft di&greeable man-
ner, which gives him an air of derifion and
fcom. If his eyes are covered, he remains
inotipnleis i and when he is laid down, and

his

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VATURAt HISTORY, Ti^J

las bead fo £xed^ that one eye refts on ,Uie
ground and the other beiqg covered with »
piece of wood> he will remain in that fituation
widiouc endeavouring ,h> ^ up* He walkS|,
trots, and gallops like the horfr, but all hie
modans are fmaller and nuieb ilow^er. Hcf
can however run with tolerable fwi^efs^ but
he can hoU it oflly for $, fmtJl fpaic<, and what<»
cver4>ace he uies> if he is hard pteiled> he i^
foon iktigued..

The boric ni^ighs, btrt the aTs brajs I which
he does bjr a long diiagreeable and discordant cry»
bj idtemattve difcords of ifaai^ and flat* He
fiddom cries but when he is preffiid hj love or
appetite,' The (he*a6 has the voice clearer
and more ihrills thofe that are geUed,. bra/
very low, and though Aey feem to, make the;
fame eiJbi^ts,. ^d the fiune motions of the throaty
yet their cry cannot he heard very fer^

Of all the animals covered with hair> the
afs is leaft fubjeA to yttmAni Which appHremily
proceeds froiii the pecuHaor hsurdncfs 9iid dry*
nefs of the fkin, ahd<*for.the fasie taifbn he is*
lefe fdnftb'Ie than the kerifc to die whip, and
ftinging of flies.

At two years -anl a half oM the firft middle
kicifive te^ib iail out^ and the others on each
fide foon follow i they are renewed at the iam»
S 3 time>^

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19$ Bt7FF0K*S

time, and in the fame order as thofe of the*
horfe. The age of the afs is alfo known by
his teeth injthe fame manner. Fr<»n the age
of two- years and a half, the afs is in a ftate
to engenders the female is'ftill more early and
quite as lascivious, fo that unle& Ihe is beaten
to allay her ardour, fhe feldom conceives.
The ufuat time of her being in heat is May^
or June ; when pregnant it foon goes offy and
at the tenth month, milk is found in her dugs i
fhe brings forth at the twelfth, and frequently
there are found (bird pieces of fleih in the liquor
of the amhois, refembling the hippomanes of a
foal. Seven days after delivery fhe is capable
of receiving the male, fo that wejnay &y (he
is conftantly rearing and engendering. She
only produces one foal, and we have fcarcely
ever heard of her having two. At the end of
five or fix months the foal may be weaned, and
it h even neceflary if the mother is pregnant.
The^ flallion afs fhould be chofen from the
largeft and ftrongeft of hiis fpeciesj he myft
at leaft be three years 'old, bxit fhould not ex*
ceed ten ; hfe legs fhould be long, body plump,
head long and light, eyes brifk, noftrils and
cheft large, neck long, loins flefey, ribs broad,
rump:flat, tail fhort, hair fhining, foft to the
touchy and of a deep grey.

• ' . The

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NATURAL HISTORY. I99

The afe, like the horfc, is three or four
years in growing, and lives alfo like him 25 or
30 years ; it is faid the female ufually lives
longer than the male; but, perhaps, this hap-
pens from their being often pregnant, and at
thofe times having fome care taken of them,
inftead oi which the males are conftantly won*
out With fatigue and blows. They fleep lefs-
than the horfe, and do not lie down to fleep,
except when they are exceedingly tired. The
male afs lafts alfo much longer than the ftallion j
die older he is the more ardent he appears, and
in general the health of this animal is much
better than that of the horfe ; he is lefs delicate
and not near fo fubjeft to maladies. The
incients knew '^of no difeafe they had but the
glanders, and which, as we have already
faid, they are much lefs fubjedl to than the
horfe*

There are among afTes different races, as
among horfes, but they are much lefs known,
becaufe they have not been taken the fame
care of, or followed with the fame attention ; but
we cannot doubt that they originally came from
warm climates, i^ riftotie affures us, that there
Were none in his time in Scythia, nor the other
northern countries, nor even in Gaul ; which,
be fays, is too cdd a climate, and adds, that a

cold

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909 , KTFFOIf ^k

cold climate either presents them from pro-
creating their fpecies, or caufes them to de-
generate, which is the reafon they are fmall and
wealc in Ulyria, Tlirace, and Epirus. Thejr
arc ftill the fame in France, though they have
been for many ages naturalized, and though the
Qoldnefs of die climate is much kiSened within
thefe two thoufand years, by the number of
forefts deftroyed, and marfbes dried up ;. but it
is more certain, they have been but newly in-
troduced into Sweden and the otheii? northern*
countries. They appear to have come ori-
ginally from Arabia^, and to have pafled from
Arabia into Egypt, frcm Egypt into Greece^
from Greece into Italy, from Italy into France,
and from thence into Germany, England^
Sweden, &c. for they are, in faft, weak and
finall, in proportion to the coldnefe of the
climate.

This migration fsems to be well proved
by the account of travellers* Chardin faysy
** that there are two kinds of .affes ip Perfia,
die affes of the qountry, wbich are floW
s^id heavy^ and whicl^i are only made ufe of
to carry burthops, and a face of Arabian
afies, which are yety beautiful^ and certainly
the firft ailes in the; world ; th|sir flcin is
glofTy, their heads bigh^ aad have high light

feet

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KATURAL HISTORY. 201

ftct) which they raife with grace, walk well, and
are folely employed to ride on. The faddles
■which they ufe with them are like a bat^ round
- on one fide, flat on the other ; they are made
of woollen x:loth, or tapeflry, and have harnefe
and ftirrups, ^lid the rider fits on them nearer
the crupper than the heck. There are fome of
thefe affes which even coft. about 18 pounds
fterling, and there are none fold under 25 pif-
toles. They ar© broke like liorfes, tut are
taught no other pace than the aniBle 5 the man-
ner of teaching them, is by tying their hind and
fore-legs of the fame fide with two ropes of
cotton, which are made to the length of thiS
ftep the afs is to pace, and are fufpended by a cord
fkftened to the girth. A groom mounts and ,
excrcifes thlm in this pace morning and even-
ing. Their noftrils are Jlit in order to
enable them to breathe more freely, and they
go fo fad, that a horfe muft gallop to keep up .
with them." -

It is to be regretted, that the Arabians, who
have fo long taken care to preferve the breed
of their horfes, had not paid the fame attention
to the afs, fince from the above it appears that
Arabia is not only the fir ft but alfo the beft
cKmate in the world for both. From Arabia
they have puffed into Barbary and Egyptj

.where

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202 BVFFOV*S

where they are h^ui^tne and high in ftature#
la the Indies, and in Guinea, they are hkrgery
ftronger, and better than the horfes of thofe
countries i there are a great number of them
at Madura, where one of the moft confiderable
and noble tribes of the Indians pay particular
hoooage to them, becaafe they believe that the
ibuls of all their nobles pais into the bodies of
afics i in ihort, ^s are found in great num«*
bers, in all parts of the eaA, from Senegal ta
China, and wild zSks me more comD;K)nljr
found than wild horfes*

The Latins, after die Greeks, have called
fiit wild'afs msigiry whith animal muft not ba
toniounded,' as fome naturalifts and traveQera
have done, with the xebra, becauie die zebrs|
18 of 1 (fiffereHt ^ecies from the a6. Tbo;
onageri cir wild s^ 19 not ftriped Uke th«
xebra, and is not near Co ekgant in figure.
Wild afles are found in fome of the illands of
the Archipelago, and particularly in that oi
Cerigo y thet^ are alio m&aj in die defdrts of
Lybia and Numidia* They are grey, and ruri
fo iaft that the horfes of Barbary only can beat
Ihein Jft hunting* When dicy fee a man they
give a loud cry, iuen themfelves about^ and
throw up their legs, then flop,, and do not at^
tempt to fly till h« comes very near them r

they

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NATURAL HISTORY. ftOj

they are t^ken in fnares made with ropes, go
in troops to pafture, and their fle(h is alfo eaten.
There were, in the time of Marmol, wild
ifTes in Sardinia, but they were lefs than thofe
of Africa^ Pietro della Valle fays, he faw a
wild aft at Baflbra, whofe figure differed in no
refpeft from a domeftic one, only of a lighter
colour, and had from the head to tail a ftripe
of white; he was alfo much livelier and fwifter
tban^ the aflfes ufually are. Olearius mentions,
that one day the King of Perfia made him go
up with'him to 'the top of a little building, in
form of a theatre, to eat fruit and fweetmeats}
ihztj after the repaft,' 32 wild aflcs were
brought in, when the king amufed himfelf for
fome time by firing at them, botfi with bullets,
and arrows, and having wbunded fome, he
afterwards permitted the ambafladors, aftd odxer
lords, to do the fame; that it was no fmall
diverfion to fee thefe aflies with a number of
arrows fticking in them, and, from the pain
they felt, biting and rdling oyer each other;
that when they were all killed and laid before
the king they were fent to the royal Idtchen at
Kpahan; the Perfians letting fo great a value
on the flefh of thefe wild afles that ftey have a
proverb expreffive of it. But it does not ap-
pear that thefe. 32 wUd affes were all taken in

the

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204

the forefts, and therefore .it is probable they
were afles brought up in large parks, for the
pleafure of hunting and eating them.

Neither afles nor horfes were found in
America, although the climate of South
America is perfedlly confonant with their na-
tures, Thofe which the Spaniards have tran-
fported from Europe, and left; in large iflands,
and on the Continent, have greatly multiplied.
In fome parts they are found in troops, and are
taken in (hares like wild horfes^

The he-afs with the mare produce large
mules, and the horfe with the fhe-afs proi-
duce fmall mules, differing from the firft in
jmany refpedls ; but as we fihall treat of mules
in a particular chapter, we fliall finifh die hif«
lory of the afs with that of its properties, and
the ufes to which the animal may be put.

As wild afles are unknown in thefe climates
we cannot in reality fay whether their flefh is
..or is not good to eat ; but it is certain, that the
flefh of the domeftic afs is extremely bad, and
harder than that of the horfe. Galen fzys^ that
it is a pernicious aliment, and occafions difeafes.
The milk of the afs, on the contrary, is an ap-
proved and fpecific remedy for certain com-
plaints, and its ufe has been tranfmitted to us
/r9m the Greek. . To have it good we (hould

chu&

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KATURAL mSTORY. 2C5

chafe a yoang healthy {he-aifs) full of flefli, (hat
has lately foaled, and has not fiflce been with
the male : the young one (hould be taken from
her, and care muft be taken to feed her well
with hay, oats, barley, and grafs, whofe qua-
lities may have an influence on die difeafe, with
,particular care not to let the milk cool., nor
even to expofe it to the air, which will fpbil it
In a little time. The ancients alfo attributed
great virtue to the blood, &c. of the afs, but
-which experience has Tiot confirmed.

As the ikin of the afs is extremely hard, and
¥cry elafiic, it is ufed for different purpofeSf
iuch as to make dmm^, fhoes, and thick parch-
ment for podieiibooks, which is flightly yar-
ttifhed over: it is alfo with affes fkin that
the Orientals niake tUf^ir fagri, which we call
fiiagreen. It is aUo probable that the bone**
of affes are harder than thofe of other animals^
fiiice the ancients made their beft founding
flutes of them.

The afs, in proportion to his fize, can carry
the greateft weight of any animal ; and as it
cofts but little tOvfeed him, and he icarcely re-
<iuires any care, he is of great ufe in country
buflnefs ; he alfo ferves to ride on, as ail his
paces are gentle, and he ftumblc5 lefs than the
VOL. y* T iiorfes

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ao6 buffoh's

horfe : he is frequently put to the plough in
countries where the earth is light, and his dung
is an excellent manure.

THE ox-

THE furface of the earth, adorned with it$
verdure, is the inexhauftible and common fund
from which man and animals draw their fub-
fiftence. Every thing in nature that has life,
is nourilbed by that whiph vegetates ; and ve-
getables, in turn, exift on the fpoil of every
thing that has lived or vegetated. To live, it
is neceffary to deftroy ; and it is only by the.
deftruftipn of beings, that animals can live
themfelves and multiply^ God, in creating
^ the firft individuals of each fpecies of animals
and vegetables, has not only given form to the
di\(l of the earth, but alfo gave it animation,
by inclofing in each individual a greater or lefs
quantity of a£iive principles, organs, living
piplccules, iiijsgfcpable ^pf being, deftroyed, an4

common

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NATURAL HISTORY.- 26/

common to all organised beings. The mole-
cules pafe from . body to body, and are. equally
the caufes of life, apd the continuation of it,
to the noiirifliment and growth of each indi-
vidual. After the diffolution of the body,
after its reduflion to aflies, thefe organic mole-
cules, on which death has no power, furvivCf
circulate in the univcrfe^ pafs into other beings
and produce life and nourilhment. Every pro-
du£lton, every renovation, or increafe by ge-
neration, by nutritioii, or by growth, implies a.
preceding deftru£kion, a converfion of fub-
ftaiiice, . a^ tranflation of thefe organic . molecules
which never multiply, but always fubfifting in
an equal number, render nature always equally
alive, the earth equally peopled, and ever
equally refplcndent with the primitive- glory of
Him who created it.

• To take beings in general,- the total quan^
tity of life is always then the fame > and death,
which feems to deftroy all, deftroys nothing of.
that primitivq life, which is common to all or-
ganized beings. Like all other fubordinajte
power$> death attacks only indivldualsi ftrike».
only thQ furface, and deftroys the form;, but
can have no power ov^r matter, and can do no,
harm to Nature, which only aj^)ears to more
advantage. She does not permit him to deftroy
T 2 the

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*C8 BUFEON^S

the fpecies, but leaves individuals to bis powcr^
to (hew herfelf independent both of Death and
Time ; to exerciie every inftant, her power,
which is always a^vev to manifeft her pleni-
tude by her fertility^ and to make the univerfe,.
in reproducing and renewing its beings, a
theatre always filled,, and a fpe&ade always new*.
That there may be a conftant fucceffic»i of
beings, it is necefirry there ihoiJd be a mutual
deilruiSlion ^ that animals may fubfift and be*
nourifhed, vegetables, or other animals muft be- .
deftroyed ; and as, before, and after the deftruc-
tion, the quantity of life remains .always the
fame, it fhould, as if it w^ indifFerent to naturer
which fpecies were more or lefs confumed ; like.
ar> economical mother, however^in tbemidftof
abundance, {he has fixed bounds to her expen-
ces, and prevents unneceffary wafte, in giving
but to a few animals the inftin£k of feeding on
fiefb, while (he has abundantly mvdtiplied both,
the fpecies and individuals which feed on^ plants
and vegetables. She (eems to have been prodi-
gd to the vegetable kingdom, and' to have be-
llowed on each great profufion and fecundity ;;
greatly perhaps to fecond her views, in main-
taining and even eftabli(hing this order on the
earth j for in the fea, we find almoft all the
fpecies are voracious}, thej^livc on their own*

kind„

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NATUHAL HISTORY a^J^

kfftd, or on others, and devour perpetually,
without ever deftroying any particular fpecics,-
becaufe the fecundity is as great as the depre-
dation, and becaufe all the confumpcion turns
to the profit of reproduftion.

Man knows how to exercife-his power on
animals 5 he has chofen thdfe whofe ftefli ^
pleafes his tafte,. has made them his domeflic
fkives, and multiplied them more than nature
would have done -, and by the pains he takes
for their xnicreafe, feems to have acquiredarright
to flaughter them; but he extends this right
much farther than his wants require ; for he
alfo makes war with fayage animals, birds, and
fiihes, and does not even confine himfelf to^
diofe of the climate which he inhabits, bat feeks
at a diftance, and even in the midft of the ocean,^
for new food. All nature feems infufficient ta
fatisfy the intemperance, and the inconftant
variety of his appetites. Man alone confumes
more flefb than all the other animals together
devour ; he is, then, the greateft deftroyer ; and
this more from cuftom than necefiity. Inflead
of ufing with moderation the bleffings which
are offered him, inftead of difpofmg of them
with equity, inftead of increafing them in pro-
portion as Ke deftroys, the rich man places all
his glory in confuming, in one day, at hi*
.table, as much as would be neceflary to fup- '
T^ port

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port many families: ht equally abuies hoAi
animals and his fellow-creatures, Xome of whom-
remain ftarving and languifliing in mifery, and
labour only to fatisfy his immoderate appetite,,
and more infatiable vanity, and who,.by deftroy--
ing others through waxitonneij^ deftroys him-
felf by excefs. . **

Neverthelcfs, many^ like fome other animals,
might live on . vegetables ; and fleih, which
feems (o analogous to fleib, is not. a better
nourifhment than corn or bread ; that which'
contributes to the nutrition, developement,^
growth, and maintenance of the body, is not
that vifible matter which feems to be the tex-
ture of flefh or herbsy but of thofe organic
particles which they both contain, fince the.
ox, by eating grafe, acquires as much flefh as
either man or beaft, that live on flefh and
blood. The only real difference between thefe
aliments is, that, in an equal quantity, flefh^
corn, and feeds, contain more organic particles
than grafs, leaves, roots,, and other parts of
plants; of which fail we may be certain by
obferving infufions of thefe different matters,
infomuch, that man, and other carnivorous
'.animals, whofe flomachs and inteflines are not
fufEciently capacious to admit a great quan*
tity of aliment a$ once^ cannot eat herbs enough

to

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MATURAZ. HISTORY. tlT

to receive a <}uantity of organic particles fuffi**
eient for their nutrition;; and it is for thiv
reafon that man, and thofe animals which have»
but one ftomach, can only live oil flefh and*
corn, which, in a finall bulk, contains a great ^
quantity of thefe organic and nutritive par^icles^
while the ox^, and other animals, that cheMr
the cud, who have many ftomachs, one ,oi
which is very capacious, and confequently
can contain a large mafg of herbage, can ex^
tra£t therefrom a fu£5icient quantity of thefe
organic particles for their nourifliment,.growth)
and multiplication; the quantity here compen**
fates for the quality of the food, but the founda-
tion is the fame: it is the iame matter, the
tame organic particles, which nouriihes man^
the ox, and all other animals.

Some may obferve that the horie has but
one ftomach, and even that very fmall; that
. the afs,. the hare, and other animals, which live
on herbage, have alfo but one ftomach, and,
confequently, this explanation, though it feems
probable, is not well grounded. But thefe
exceptions, fo far from controverting,, appear
to confirm this opinion, for although the horfe

has

.* The tttm ox li generally applied t« cattle in fentral,
but when ufe4 in iti confined fcaf; we iball timk it mih

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3fi mjvroi^s

has otie ftoftiach he has pouches^ in the In^
teftines9 fo very capacious tiiat they may be
compaTred to the paundi of ruminant animals ;'
;lnd hares have a blind ^'ut of fo great a Ifength
^d diameter that it is at Ibaft equal to a fe-
€iOnd ftomach ; thus it is not aftbnifhing that*^
thefe animal«^ can live on herbage alone. We
Und in general it is wholly on the fixe of the
ftomach and inteftines^ that their manner of
feeding depends^ for mminatihg quadrupeds, as^
&e ox, fheep, goats, camels, &c. have four
ftoipa<ihs^ and the inteftines of a prodigious
length; thefe five on. herbage, and that alone
itiffices them, Horfes, afles, hares, rabbits,
guinea pigs, &c. have but ope' ftomach, but
they have a gut equivaTent to a: fecond, and
live^ on herbs and corn. Wild boars, hedge-
kogs, &c. whofe ftomachs and bowels are lefs
capacious, eat but Httle grafs, and live on corn,
fruits, and roots. Thofe, fuch as the wolf,
fox, tygef, &c. which have the ftomach fmaller
than other aniiijals, in proportion to the fize of
their bodies, are obliged to chufe the moft
fuccutent aliments | and thofe which abound
moft with organic particles,, and to eat flefli
and blood, corn and fruits. ^

. It is on -this ncceffary and pbyfical relation,
then, much more than pn the varieties of taftc,

that

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KATURAL HlsraRT. 113

that is founded the diverfity which we fee in
the appetites of animals^ fen: if neceflitjr did
not determine them ofteaer than tafte how'
could they devour corrupted flefli with as much
avidity as that which is frefh and juicy? Why
do they cat equally of all kinds of flcfh ? We
fee that domeftic dogs, which have it in theic.
power to chufe, conftantly vejeEt certain meats,^
fiich as . the woodcock,, thruih, pork, &:•
whilft wild dogs, wolves, foxes, &c. eat equally^
the ilefh of the hog^ woodcock, birds of all
^ecies^ and even frogs, of which I once found
two in the ftomach of a wolf- When they
can neither get fieih. nor fiih they will eat fruity
carn> grapes, &c. but they always prefer that
food, which, in a fmall portion, contains a large
quantity of nutritive or organic particles proper
for the nouriihment and iubfiftence of the
body.

If thefe are not Efficient proofs let us con*,
fider the method made ufe of to fatten cattle*
They begin by caftration> thus flopping the
paf&ge thrdugh which the organic mplecules
efcape in moft abundance; then inftead of
leaving the ox to his ufual paflure, of herbage
^loney they give him bran, com^ and turnep^S in
a wofd, more fubflantial aliments than grafs. In
a little time the flefh, juices> and fat of the

aninpaL

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^14 BUP^Ol^l'S

animal atrgments, the fat abounds, and, frbrff •
a flefh hard and dry, formls a 'viafid fo fuccu-
lent and good, that it is die chief of our b'ci^
repaffs,*

It alfo refults from what has been faid, that
than, whofe ftomach and inteftines zr6 not fey
capacious with refpeft to the fee of his body,
could not live on herbage alone; yet it is proved
by fiafts, that he can live onvegetaMes, corn*,
and feeds of'planfsj fince tbfere are . whole na^
tions, and particular orders of men, who are
forbi<i hf th^il" religiiWito eat of any thing that
has had life; bat there'exi^Ies,-thoQ^' &p-»
ported on the atrAority of Pythkigotas, and re-
eohimWhded by fome phyficfans,- do not appear
iufficient to convince us, that it wcmld bectbfit
the heahh of mankind, orth^t the human fpe«
.cies would multiply in a greater proportion, if
they lived on vegetables and bread ; the rather
aspeafahtsj whom the lu?Curie^, and the lump -
tUoufndfs of the great, reduce to this mode of
living, languifb and die much fooner than per-
fons in a middle ftation of life, to whom wants
sgid excefles are equally unknown.

Next to man^ animals which live on fle(h
only, are the greateft deftroyers r they are both
the enemies of nature, and the rivals of man.
It is onl)^ byi acarefulT attention, that our flocks

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NATURAL HrrroRY. ai5

jind fowls can be fheltered from birds of: prey,
the wolf, fox, weazel, &c. and it is only by a
continual war, that wc can preferye our ^grain,
fruits, and even cloathing from the voracity of
rats, moths, mites, &c. for infe<Sts are among
thofe creatures which do more harm than good.
The. ox, (heep, and thofe other animals which
feed on grafs, are not only the beft, moft ufeful,
and the moft precious to man, but confi^me and
poft him Icaft. The 03c, above all the reft, is
the moft excellent in this refped, for he gives
.as much- to the earth as he takss frppi it, and
even, enriches the ground on which he lives ;
while the horfe and the greatcft part of other
animals, in a few years impoyeriib the bed:
pafture*lands.<

Bat thefe are not the only advantages that
this animal procures to man ; without . the ox,
the poor and the rich .would haye muchdiflL.
ciilty to live ; the earth would remain uncul-
tivated, the £elds, and even the gardens would
be dry and fterile ; it is on him that all the
work of . the cpuntry falls, he is the moft:
ufeful^ domeftic of the farmer, i^nd doe#
all the labour of agriculture. • Formerly

^ be

P Modern pradice, at leaft-in Engiandj profes thatwithr
ill, the fupecior^ualitUsof ^he«X; he ii oot entitled to thU

particular

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jjix6 wtffon's

he fonned the only riches of mankihcl>
and ftill he is the bafis of the riches of
ilates, which only flourifh) and are' fupported
by the cultivation of the lands, and the number
of their cattle -, iince tbefe are the only real
wealth we poflefs, all others, even gold and
iilver, being only arbitrary reptefentations, and
are of no worth but what the produce of the
earth can give them.

That the ox is not to proper- as the horfe,
«fs, camel, ice for carrying burthens, the
form of his back and loins clearly demonftrate^
*ut the thicknefs of his neck, and the broad-
nefs of his (hoiilders, fufficiently indicate his
<]ualification for the yoke. Notwithftanding it is
* in this manner'that he draws with themoft advan-
tage, yet in fome provinces of France they oblige
iiimi to draw with his horns ; for which they
give as a reaibn, that when harnefled in diis
manner he is managed with more eafe. His
head is very ftrong, and he may draw very
well when fo yoked, but certainly with much
lefs advantage than- when he draws by the
(houlders. He feems to be made on purpofe

for

-ptrticular encoaiuni} finer in rotnjr parts it ii found the
horfe cui be much more advlntageoully employed in the
4:u1tu re of Jandf. and even in fome countries the icfvice of
the ox la Chat refped is ^ice exploded*

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NATUHAt HtSTORY. ftl^

for the plough? thc^fizc of his body, the flo^Jt
neCs of bis motions^ the fkoi^tnefs of his tegK^
»nd even his.:tranyquSIity and^ patience whm^'hd
laboiHS, -concur in ijiakihgliim proper for the
cultivation of ijie ground, and more c^piible
than any other animal of overcoming the con-
ilant refiftance that die earth oppofes to hi$
efforts* The h'orfe, although perliaps as ftrong
us the ox, iS) however, lefs proper for this work)
his legs are too long, his motions too. great
and fudden, and he is alfo more impatient, and
more eafily fatigiied; we take from him his
lightneft, all the fuppleiiefs of his motion, and
ali the grace of his attitude, when be is put to
this laborious work, which requires mibrd
coiiflancy than ardour, and more ftrength and
^weight than fwtftriefs.

In thofe fpecies of animals which man batf
formed into flocks, and whofe multiplication is^
hk principal objefl, the fipnales are more?
ufeful than the maks. The produce of the
cdw, is a benefit dmoft perpetually Renewed ;.
the flefh of the calf is hcaldiy and delicate, th^
milk is excellent-food at leaft for children $ but->
ter relifhes the greatefl part of our viftuak,
and cheefe h the common food of the country
people. How many poor families are reduced
to live entirely on their cow I Thefe fame men
VOL. v. U who

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«l8 BUFFON^S

who toil from morning to riight, groan with
anguiih, exhaufted with continual labour of
cultivating the ground, obtain nothing from
die earth but black bread, and are obliged to
give^to others the flour and (ubdmce of their
grain. It is through them that the harvefts are
abundant^ thqugh they partake not thereof.
Thefc men who breed and ntuhiply our cattle,
-who take care of, and arc confVantly occupied
with them, dare not enjoy the fruits of their
labour; they are debarred from the ufe of flefli,
and reduced, by the nccefHty of their condition,
or rather by the brutality of the great,*to live
like horfes, on barley and oats^ common,
herbs, &Cj

The cow (fg. 21 J may alfo be ufed for
the plough, and though flie is not fb ftrong as
the oXf yet (he is often made ufe of to fupply
his place ; but, if employed for this ufe, care
ihould be taken to match her with jan ox of
the fame fize and ftrength, or with another
cow, in order to preferve the equality t)f the
draught, and to keep the plough in an equi*,
liblrium between the two powers attending' to
falili&te the labour, and preferving the tillage
more regular. From fix to eight oxen are fre-
quently made ufe of for ftiff land, but more
efpecially ia /allow grounds which bieal»up

ia

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Eriffn»tdibrBtartTtuffbrv

BulL

Cow
hf JSBmrJiay. ttarg:

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NATURAL HISTORY. 4t0

HI large clots, whilft two cows are fufficient to
plough light and fandy foils. The ancients
confined the 0;^ to 120 paces, as the extent of
the furrow, he was capable of tracing without
flopping; after which ^hey fufFered him. to take
breath a few moments before he went on with,
the fame furrow, or began a frefh one. The
ancieutstoolc 4elight in the ftudy of .agriculture,
and gloried in ploughing themfclves, or at
Icaft i;i encouraging the labourer, and fparin^
him .and th^ ojr as much trouble as pofTible;
but among us, thofe who enjoy the gre^ft
^hare of /the bleffings of the earUi are .thofe
wha.knQvrUeaft howto efteem, 2|nd tp en-
f;cHiragq,the sLt% of coltiv^tion. ^
; The bull i^g 20.) ferves chiefly for the prp-
paga,tion of his fpecies, and though we can make
him, fubmit to work^ y6t we are lefs fure of his
obedience,^ and muft be on our guard againft
. jthe. improper ufe he may tnake of hi§ ftrength*
Nature has ma4e hiqi indpcile and h^tughty}
in rutting jtime he^ is unmanagable, and fre-
quently, furious ) but by cadraiion thefe im-
petuous motions ceafe, whilft it robs him of
none of his ftrength; it rather renders -him
larger, weightier, and more proper for the
work for which he is intended; it has alio ari
effect upon his difpoiltion, and makes him more ^
U 2 , tame

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aao 9uffon's

tam: and. patient, more docile and Icfs troubIe«
fome to the rtH ; a number of bulls would prove
an unruly herd, wbicb man coold neither tame
nor guide* ...

The countfy peo^e a iopt different modes
for'caftration, t^t they in> general confider the
befl time when-^ animal is between eighteen
months and two years of age, as they ieldom
live when it is peifonmd more early, yet thofe
who do fiirvive the opemtkn^ if performed while
young ^aWes^ always become die largeft and
^tteft oxen. If left to a late period diey »«
taiti all the impet^ious feroci^ of the male fex,
and ^a (fcareely -goyemaUe. The females
are commonly in ieafon from about the iSth
of April to the. 15th of July; Aey go nine
months with y^MiBg» and brin^ ferlh at the ^
ginning of the tenth ; therefore calves are
always jrfenty during the iprmg and fiunmer.

The buU, like the ftaltion^ flkouU be chofen
from, the bandfemeft of his fpe<Hes} he fiiould
be large, in?ell inade^: and full of flefh; hta
eyes black, bis looks haughty and iterc^
forehead open, head ihort, horns thick, fliort»
and bhck, ears fliort and fbft, muzzle large,
hofe ihort andilraight, neck flefliy and duck)
fliouMers and breaft largej loins firm, back
ftraight, legs thick ai)d mufcular, tail long and
' . well

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NATUHAL HISTORY. 221

well covered widi hiir, ftep firm and Aire, smd
his coat of a reddifli colour. The cows fre-
quently ret^n die fitft, fecond, or third tlmey
and as foon as they ar^ with calf the bull takes
no more notice of them, although they^havc
.ftill fome appearance of ardours but this ufually
goes ofF as foon as they have conceiyed, and
they alfo refufe the approaches of the bull.

Cows are alio fubje£t to abortion if put ta
the plough, and not properly managed ; and
care fhould be taken to prevent their leaping
•over hedges, ditches, &c. they ihould alfo be
put into the richctt paftures, which, without
being too humid or marfhy, afFord plenty of
herbage. For fix weeks before they calve they
(hould be more fed than ullial^ giving them
grafs in their ftalis, if fumtnef, and, during
the winter, bran, lucerne, . faintfoirfe, &c.
They fhould not be milked from that time 5 the
milk being necefTary for die noUrifliment of
the foetus. There are- fome cows in which
the milk ceafes a month or fix- weeks before
they calve, but thofe which haveimilk to the
lafl are the befl mothers, and the befl nurfes.
.The milk, towards the time of calving, is ge- .
nerally bad, and in' fmall quantities. Mure
tare is necefTiry to be taken of the cow al: and
U 3 after.

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after lier ddiyccf than ^ the marei beii^ «pf«
parentlj more weakened and fiitigued. . She
AwAd be put Jnto a ftaUe and kept warai^
giving her good litter, and feedmg her well,
daring ten or twdve days, with bean>flower>
C(Mti, oat8, &c. mixed with fait water, and
plenty of lucerne, faintfoine, or good grais.
This time is fuficient to re-eftablUh her
ftr^th, after whicii fhe may be brought by
degrees to her iifoal manner of living and
pafturing. Not any of her milk fhould be
taken for the two firft months, but left folelf
to the calf; befides, ffae milk at diis time is not
of the bejl qiality,

Thecalf Ihouldbe left with its mother for
ftv€ or fix da]^, that it may be kept warm, and
fuck as^often as it has occafion ; it may then be
removed, for it would weaken the cow too
much if it was always kept with her. It is
fufficient to let calves fuck two or three times
in a day; and to fatten ffaem quickly, they
Ihould every day have ra^^ eggs, and boiled
milk and bread.. At the end of four or five
weeks calves thus taken care of will be ex«
cellent eating. It is. fufficient to let a calf
fiick, defigned for the butcher, thirty or forty
days^ but ^bok which are intended to grow

up

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"tip ftmid he fbiScTed to feck ht two monthsr
at leaft ; the more they are allowed to fuck tfab
ilrongcr and larger cattle they become. Thofe
brought ibrdi in Apri), M^y, a&d Jutie, are the
fitcbft to be raifed ; for talv^s ^icli eome httr
never acquire ftrength enough to refift the kw
juries oiF Ae following winter, and sibnoft all
langaifh and perifii with the cold. Before the
milk is entirely t^ken frotfi thefn, th^ty fhould
have a little good grafe, or ikintifbine, cut fine tor
accuftdm them by degrees to their jfuture food;
after which they (hould be entirely. ieparated
from the^ mother, and not fuffered to go near
her, either in the ftable, or field.' To the^
latter they fhouM be tSaken every day, and fuf-
fered to remain from morning to iright during
the fummer ; but as foon a2s the cold begins iit
autumn, theyfliould be tak^n 6ut kte in the
morning, and carried home foon in the evening;
and during Winter, as cold is extremely hurtful
to ^em, they fhould be kept warm in a clof^
Well Uttered ftable ; and with their ufual food>
they ibould haVe faintfoine, lucerne, &c smd
not (uffered to go out, except in mild weather.
Great care muft be eiken of them for the firft
winter^ as it is the moft dangerous time in their
lives i for they get ftrength enough during the

following^

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A)4 »UFFO»'»

following fummer not to fear die ccM of a ie«
cona winter.*

At 1 8 months old, the cow arrives at puber-
ty, and the bull when he is two years ; but
though they can engender at this age, it is bet*
ter tp keep them afunder till they are three
years old. . Theie animals are in t^eU greateft
vigour from three years old till nine;, after this,
neither cows nor bull& are fit for any thing but
to fatten for. the daughter. As at two years of
age they are almoft at their full growth, the
length of their lives is alfo, like that of moft
. other animals, feveA times that^ or about four-.
^ teen years ; they feldcnn live beyond fifteen.

In all quadrupeds the voice of the male is
Wronger and deeper than that of the female ;
and I believe there is no exception to this rule;
though the ancients fay, that the cow, the cx^
and even the calf, have deeper voices than the
bull ; bjut; the contrary is certain, fince he can
be heard mi^ the fartheft. What has afford-
ed grounds to think ^^that his voise is leis deep,
is, that his bellowkig not being arfimple found,

but

* It ii evident here that our au^oi did not^ draw hit "conr
clofioM from a general vieyi •£ the fqbjed^ but polfibly ra*
tber from the practice followed in France* which ^ in maoj
ca(es» with regard to cows and calves, it diametrically ^pofiM
to that purfttcd la England^ both ia nf^tdt to food aad ma*
oagemcAt.

^Digitized

by Google

NATURAL HISTORY* %!$

but compofed of two or three cm^vcs, the
h igheft of which ftrikes the ear moft focciblj,
and the others are not perceived, yet if we
give attention thereto^ we hear a grave ibundt
much deeper than the voice of the cow, axy or
calf, whofe lewings are alio much ihorter^
'Fho bull only bellows when he is enamoured ;
the cow more frequently laws through fear and
dread, than from any .other caufei 2aid the
calf bellows from pain, wasti^f food^ or a de«
fire of being with its mother.

The dulkft and moft idle animsds are not
thofi? i«kid& fleep the foundeft, or the longel^
The deep cf the ex is (hort, and nut very
found ; for lie awakes at she leaft m^ifc* Ht
uTually liefron his leftfde, and lihe kft kidney
<8 sdvrays larger and &tcer than the right.

OxM^ like other domeftic^ animals, differ
ta colour; but the red appears the moft
common c^our > and the redder they are, the
more they are efteemed \ (otBt prefer the black
-«*ile others aflett that thofe of a bay colour
laft longeft j thatthe brown are foonerfttigucd
and fhorter lived ; that the grey, brindled, and
white, are not proper for work, and are only
fit to be fatterrcd'for flaughtcr. Bat whatfoever
be Ae colour, the coat pf the ex Ihould b6
ihining, tklftk, and foft to the touch ; for if it

is

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226 BUFFON*S

is rough aiid uneven, it indicates the anioial is
i>ot well,, or at leafl of a weak conftltution.
An dxfoT^hc plough fliould be neither too fat
nor too. lean; bi» ht^d ihquld l>e ihort and
thick, b'$i»r».4affg^'-)v»(h » f^C evfiii coat, his
horns ftrdog^ &imfa§i.»ni oi aimiMing fize,
his fqrdiejtfl bigh^ bi& eyes large and black, his
muzzb jargp aodl AftTi bi» i^ftrUs^wtde, hi^
teeth .wbrts dnd-eyeii« tus, lipa blacjp, his neck
fliort^ ht9<&cw2der»4uck 9iBd.ftrQng^ hisbreaft
large, bis.dewlafv 'that isy .the ibre part of . tbf
neck^ long, i2aid baaj^ng down (o his knees;
bis loiiiis inerji Ia^ge> bis:beU]rfpaaiou$Lawl pro^
faineitt, bUs .flanks thkkt hi$ hAftinches longi
his ntn^ fouf|d^;his legs- and ibighs big sind
tiervous^ lus.<t>ai(k.firaight and^AJIy his t^iil
hanging dpwQ ;to the ground, and -cqyeired witl^
«fine tuft of curling hair, his feet firm, his
.ikin thtfik ^n4' pUablfi) ai«i. his mufples larg9
aod elevated.; be fhould ^cr be feeble of the
goad, ^beydiei^ <to fh^ aail» ^ well trained:
but it, i& ;oQjy#y.4egiiB§% ^ beginning earljs,
^that we n^ F^^k^ him fub^it wiUiiigly to the
yoke* At the age of iwo.y^csand a half, or^
three years at mpft, we £hould begin to ufe him
to fubjedionj if. it. is inferred later, he frCf
quently becomes unman^eable. Patience^
gentleiiers;^ and carefles, are the gf^y methods

to.

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HATURAL HISTORY HJ

to beufed; violence aod ill-u&ge only fcrve to
make him fuSlen and untradtaWe for ever: he
fhould be 'ftroakeS and cateffed, and frequently
fed with boiled barley, bruifed beans, and
other noutiflimg food of the fame kind, mixed
with a little fclt^ all of which he is very fond ;
he fhould be frequently tied by the horns fome
days before he is put to the yoke; and hefhould
ttt firft be yoked to the plough with another ox-
of the fame foe which is already trained. They
fiiould be tiled together at die rack, and led
to the fame pafturage, that they may become
acquainted) ^and ' habituate thehifelves to the
fame cd^rnon motions. The goad fhould
never be Ufed at the beginmng, as it would
only ferve to make hinl angov^rriaWe* He
fhould only work t little ^t it time, for he is
(bon fatigued when ;rK>t perfeftly broke; . arid .
for the fame reafon, he fhouM theh- have more
food than at another thne; '^ '' v

The ox fhoufd ^wly bewwked^^fiom three
years old to ten; and he&6u!dthen' be taken
from the ploi^h to fat«>i% ^sr thfc flcfli Will be
better than }f~4ie be kept longer. 'The age of
this anhnal i$ kno^h by his teeth and horns.
.The firft front te^A fall out when he is ten "
months old, ztid are repUced by others which
ire larger and not fo white ; at f 6 months
: thofe

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2^^ BUFF01^%

thofe on eich fi^.of the middle t^etk drop out^
and are replaced by others ; and at three years,
.dd, all die: tncifive teeth am r^aflWed s tbef
are then all lbng» White, ankl . eren ; and, in
{Proportion as the dJriUlvahces in years, they
decay, and' become unequal and black. It is
the (ame widi die bijdl and cow; tb that neither
ftx, nor caiftration makes any alteration in the
growthr or fall of thq teeth, nor does either
make any difference in the caftingrf the horns,
for they ^I off at Aree years equally from the
«ar, bttir, and cow ; tbefe are rq>Iaced by other
hotns^ which, like the fccond teeth, &Uoff no>
inore, otfly thofe of the ex and cow grow
longer than thofe of the bull. The growth
of thefe fecond horns is not uniform. The
firft year, diatis to fey, the fourth of the ani-
mals age, two little pointed horns f[^rout, which
are eren^ and terminate at the head by a kind
of knob ; the following year this 4cnob grows .
from the ){ieid, pufhed oat by a cylinder of
horn, vMdi forms and terminates alfo by
another kfiob, and fo on ; for as long as the
animal lives, the hoiDS continue to grow;
tbefe knobs are eafily diftinguiihed, and by
which his age may be eafdy ktfown, by adding
three years to the number of intervals between
the other knobs*

The

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NATURAL HISTCi(Y. ^29

The horfe eats ilowly, but almoft continually;
Ae oxy on the contrary, eats quick, and takes
in a fhort time all the food which he requires s
after which he lies down to ruminate. This
difference arifes from the different conformation
of their fl:oma(?hs. The ^a-, whofe two
lirft ftomachs form but one vaft bag, can»
without mcorivenience, receive a large quan*
tity of graft, which afterwards, by chewing
digefts a* leifure. But ' the horfe, whofc
ilomacfa is ftngle and fmall, can receive but
a fmall quantity of grafs, he therefore fills
it in proportion as it digefts, and paffes into
the inteftineS, where is performed the principal,
decompofition of the food. Having obferved
in the ^ and the horfe, the fucceffive produdl
of digeftion, but, above all, the decompofition
of hay, I remarked in the ox, that at the
entrance of that part of the paunch which
forms the fecond ftomach, it is reduced to a
kind of green pafte ; that in this form it is
retained in the plaits of the third ftomach $
that the decompofition is entire in the &urth
ftomach ; and that (carcely ?iny thing but the
dregs paffes into die inteftines. In the horfe^
on the contrary, the food is not decompofed
at all, either in the ftomach or m the ftrft in«>
teftineSf where, it only becomes more flexible^
vot.v. X and

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t^o buffon's

and fupple, macerated with the liquor with
which it is furrounded, it arrives at the caecum
and colon, without much alteration; it is prin-
cipally in thefe two inteftines, of which the
enormous capacity anfwers to that of the
paunch of ruminant cattle, tiSit in the borfe is
'performed the decompofition of the food ; but
this decompofition is never fo intire as that
vrhich is made in the fourth ftomach of the ox.

For thefe reafons, and from the infpe&ion
of the parts, it feems eafy to conceive bow
chewing the cud is .efFe6led| and why the horfe
neither ruminates nor vomits. Chewing the
cud is but a vomiting without nraining, oc- ,
cafioned by the <e-a&ion of the £rft fiomach
upon what it contains. The ox iillshis two
firft ftomachs, or portions of the paunch.'
This membrane aSs with force on the food it
contains; it is chewed but a little, and its quan-
tity is greatly increafed by fermentation. Were
the food liquid, this force of contradUon would
occafion it to pafs into the third ftomach,
which commui^cates with the other by a narrow
<;onveyance, the orifice of ovhich is fituated
in the pofterior part of the firft, and almoft as
high as the,oefophagus| thus this conduit can-
5^ot admit the food) until it has become fpme*
ivhat fluid. The dry parts muft, therefore, rife

aip

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NATURAL HISTORY. 23 1

up again, into the cefophagus, the orifice of
which is larger than that of the conduit ; in
fsL&y they go, up ag^ainto the mouthy and the
animal again chews and macerates them, im-
bibes them afreih with its.faiiva, and thus by -
^degrees liquifies them fiifficient to pafs into the
third ftomach, where it is again macerated be-
fore it goes into the fourth 3 and it is in this
laft ftomach that the decompofition of the hay
is finifhed, which is there reduced to a perfe<5):
mucilage.

What' chiefly confirms the truth of this ex-
planation is, that as long as th^ animals fuck,
or are fed with nuik and other liquid aliments,
ttey do not chew the cud; and that they chew
the.cud much more in winter, when they are
fed with dry food, than in fummer, when they
cat tender - grafs. In the horfe, on the con-
- trary, the ftomach is fmall, the orifice of the
oefophagus is narrow, and that of the pylorus
very large. This alone would render chew-
ing the cud impoffible, for the food contained
in this little ftomach, though perhaps more
ftrongly comprefled than in the ftomach of the
otCj does not mount upwards, finqe it can eafiLy
defcend through the pylorus, which is very
large; and it is not neceflary that the hay
fbould be reduced to a foft running pafte, be-
X 2 cau&

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23? buffon's

cauie the force of the coiltra£tion of the ftomach
pufhes the aliment through whea almoft dry.

It is by this difFerefu:e, then, tfaat the ox
chews the cud, and that the horfe cannot per^
form diis operation. But there is ftiil another
difference, in the horfe, which hinders him from,
shewing the cud, and is the reafon why he
cannot vomit; the paflage of oefophagus being
placed obliquely in the flomacb, the membranes
of which are v«ry thick, makes a kind erf* gutter
in chem fo oblique that it muft clofe flill mope
inftead of opening by the convulfive motions
'of the flomach. Although this difference, a$
well as many others we obfenre in the con*-
Yormation of -the bodies of thefe animals, de*
•pend oil' thdr t conftant naturej ncverthelefr,
there are in the developement, more particularly
-in the foft parts, differdlices^conftant in ap-
pearance, but which may, and a^hially do, vary
from circumftances. The vafl: capacioufhefe
of' the ox's paunch, for example,- is not en-
tirely owing to Nature; it is not of that fize,
•in its primitive coriformation, but attains it by
degrees, from ^he large quantity of aliment
it receives; for, in the calf, which is iK>t very
young, hut has eat no graft, th6 paunch Is
much fmaller in proportion thaft in the ox.
^his capddiottfhefs of die paunch proc^odft,

" <- ^ then.

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NATUHAL HtSTOViY. XjJ

ifcen, from the extcnfion which is occafioned
by the large quantity of aliments, of which I
was well convinced by an experiment that ap«
peared to me decifive. I brought up two
lambs of the fame age, one on bread, the other
on grafs, and when they were a year old, on
opening them, I found the paunch of the lamb^
which had lived on grafs was much larger than
that which had lived on bread.
' It is faid that oxen which eat flowly are more
capable of working than thefe which eat quick,
that oxen fed oii high and dry lands are mora
lively, rigorous, and healthy, than Aok which
Kve in low humid grounds; that they are all
ftronger when fed on dry. hay than when fed
with grafe; that they me$t with more diiHculty,
on the change of climate, than horfes, and thar^
'for this reafoxi, oxen for the plough fhould
never be purchafed but in their own neighs
bourhopd. .

In winter, as oxen- do- nothing*, it is fuffi:-

eient to feed tlienir on ftraw, with a litde hay ^

- . but at the feafon they work they fhould have

. more hay than ftraw> likewife a little bmn, or

X 3. a few

* Thii U not the cafe in England, as in many counties

the /aniier« excepting in hard weather^ fiads It the beft time

to keep them in full employ*

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^34 BMfOV^A

a few <xtts. If hay is Icarce ibey fliouH bavfr
frefli-ctit gra(s» leaves > of afli) elm^ oak, &Ci
bjt this fiDod ihould he given in a finall quaiw
tity, becaolb the exce(s'of it^^beiag «rhat diqf
are veryfoxid of, joccafiom tfaom to void Uoody
tirine; bat. lucerne,/ fitintfoiae, lupins, turnip^,
boiled barky, &c. are very gpodfor them, and
as they never eat more than is neceflar y ttiq^
ihould always be fupplied widi as' touch 9^^
they will 'tak& .They ihiould not.be. put to
pafture till about the' middle of May i they
ihould be kepC at pdflure all the fummer; and,,
about die middle of Odober they fliould bq
brought back to M<lc>'> only obierving not to
t:faange them .too iuddehly from green to dry-
food, or from dry to gceen, b^t to bring thesi.
to it by dcgrcct. •

Great heat incommodes thl» animal moit-
perhaps than great eold. During fummbr they,
ihould be brought to work at day-break, taken^
to the flable, or left to £3ed inthe wbods,.
.during the heat of the day, and not yoked^
again till three or four in the afternoon. In
fpring, winter, and autunui, they may be worked-
from eight or nine in the morning, till five or.
iix in the evening. They do not require fo-
'much care as horl^s, yet td keep them healdfy

• ailA

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, 'KATVtUU&HItTORY. ^35;

mad vigorotis they Aiould be rurried every dayi.
fild their hoofb carefully greafed and waihed;.
ihey fhould be taken to 'drink at leaft twice
a»day; they are fond of water that is frelh
and' cool, while the horfe loves it muddy and.
luke-warm^. •

Nearly the &tne ^od and care are requifitt *
fef the cow as the ox $ but the cow that fuckles-
acquires more particular attention, as well in
afae chufing as in the management. It is (aid)./
ibat black cows give the beft. milk, and that
\diite cows give the moft; but of whatever
colour, fhe ihould be flefhy, have a briik eye,, ,
and be light ia her walk ; (he {hould be young>.
her milk plentiful, and ;o£ a^ good kind ; ihe
.Ihould be milked twice ^a-day in fiimmer, and
jonce in winter ; . and, if we would increafe the
;quantity, Qis moft be fed with more fucculent.
food than herbage.

Good milk is neither too tibick, 4ior too
-thin;, its confiftence ihould be fuch, that a drop
ihould preferve its roundnefs without running.
In colour it fhould be of a beautiful whitf :
that which is inclinable to blue or yellow is
worth nothing y its tafte ihould be fweet^ with-
out any bitternefs or fourncfs* It is befl in-
the month .of May, and during the fummer>
than in winter ^ and it is never j>erfc£lly good

but

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^^6 WTFcnfi:

but when the cow is of a proper age, anj ii»
good health. The milk of young heifers is
too ^hick, that of old cows is too dry, and
during the winter k is too diick. The milk of
the cow is not good when fhe is in feafon, near
her time, or has lately calved. In the third and
fourth ftomachs of the calves which fuck, there
are clots of curdled milk, which,, dried in the
air, ferve to make runnet, and tha longer it
is kept, the better it is,, ancj it requires but a
finall quantity to make a great deal of cheefe^

Both cows and oxen love wine^ vinegar, aiid
felt, and they will devour with avidity a fea(bn«-
ei iallad. In Spain, and fome other countries,
they place near the' young calf one of thofe
ftones, called faiegres, which are found in fait
mines ; they lick this i&lt ftone all the time the
mother is: at pafture, whichr excites the appe-
tite, or creates thirft fo much, that the moment
the cow returns, the young calf fucks with^
great eagernefi ; and this makes them grow Sit-
ter and fader than thofe to wJhich no (alt is
. given. For the fame reafon, when oxen loath
their food, they give them grafs foaked in vine-
gar,, or ftrewed witji felt;, fait may alfo be
given to them, as it excites their appetites in
order to. fatten them in a fhort time. It is
ufual to put them to fatten when ten.years old ;

if

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NATIJRAI. HISTORY. I^f

if we ftay longer^ thjsre is Ids certainty of fuc«
cefe, and their flefh is not fo good. They may
be fattened in all feafons, but futnmer is gene-*
•rally preferred) becaufe it is attended with left
expence; and by beginning in May or June,
.we are almoft certain.of having them fat before
the end of ,0<Sfcob&r.. When we begin to fat»-
tea tlieqi they, mu^ not be ifufFered to WQrk
any longer. They fhould drink much oftcner^
and have . fucculent food ia abundance^ fome^
times mixed with a little fait, and be left t«
chew. the<:u^ at leifure, and to fleep in the cow«
Jioufe during the heal: of tlie day» In four or
five months, if thus attended to, they will beu
come Co f;^t tb^t it wi^l be difficult fbr. them to
4 walk,. or be. conducSted to any diftance but by
XmdU jc^rAtes* .Cows and bulls, wi^ioie teftif-
cles;^e tWifted, may alfbbe fat^ned) but the
Jlefli. of the cow is drier, and that of the bull is
"redder and harder than that of the ox, and thfe
latter has always a ftrong disagreeable tafte*
Bulls, cows, and (fxetty are very apt to lick
' . tbemielves, efpecially when quiet and at reft;. '
.and as this is ftippofed to prevent their fattentng,
it is ufual toi-ub all parts of dieir bodies which
4iiey can reach vnth their own dung. When
^tbis* precaution is not taken, they xaife up the
• hair of their coat» with their tonguesy and fw»t-

d by Google

238 BurroN's

low it in large quantities. As this fubflance
cannot digeft, it remains in the ftomacb, an4
forms round fmooth balls, of fo Confiderable a
fize, as to incommode and prevent digeftion*
Thcfe balls in time get covered with a brown
cruft, which, though nothing but a thick mu-
cilage, becbmes hard and fhining j They, are
or^ly found in the paunch, and if any of the
haiis get into the other ftomachs, they do not
remain, but feem to i^afs oiF with the alt*
ments.

Animals which have incifive teeth, fuch as
tiie horfe and the ais, in both jaws, bite ihort
grafs more eafily than' thofe which want thefe
teeth in the fuperior jaw; and if the fheep and
goat bite the clofeft, it is becaufe they are fmaU>
and their lips are thin. But oxerij whofe
lips are' thick, can only bite long grafs ; and
it is for this reaibn th^t they do no harm to the
pafture on which they livei as they only bite
off the tops of the young herbiage, they do not
ftir the roots, and the growth is fcarcely check-
ed; inftead of which, the fheep and the goat
bite fo clofe, that they deftroy the ftalk and fpoil
the root. Befides, the horfe chuCbs the fliorteft
and moft delicate grafs, leaving the largeft to
grow for feeds; but the ox eats thefe thick
ftalks^ and by little, and littlei deftroys the

coatfei:

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NATURAL HISTORY. 239

coarfer grafs ; (o that in a few years^ the field
in which the horfe has lived becomes poor, arid
that on which the e^ has broufed, becomes an
Huprovcd pafture.

Our oxen^ which we muft not confound
with the buffalo, bifon, &c. feems to be ori-
ginally of this temperate climate, great heat,
or-exceffive cold,^ being equally injurious to
them. Befides this fpecies, which is fo abun-
dant in Europe, is not found in the fouthern
countries, and is not extended beyond Armenia
and Perfia; nor beyond Egypt and Barbary in
Africa. For in India, the reft of Africa, and
even in America, the cattle have a bunch on
the back, or are animals of a diiFerent fpecies,
which travellers have called oxen. Thofe
found at the Cape of Good Hope, and in many
parts of America, were carried from Europe
By the Dutch and Spaniards. In general,
Countries which are rather cold agree better
with our oxen than hot' clirnatesj they are
larger and &tter in proportion as the climate is
humid, and as it abounds in goodnefs of
pafture. The oxen of Denmark, Padolia,
XTkraine, ^and Calrauck Tartary, are the largeftj
diofe of England, Irdand, HoHsind, and Hun-
gary, are larger than thofe of Perfia, Turkey,
Greece, Italy, France, and Spain i and thofe

of

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240 buffon's

of Barbary arc the fmalleft. The Dutch every
year bring from Denmark a vaft number of
large thin cowS, -which give more milk thaa
thofe of France.; and it is poffible they are of
ijhat breed of cows which has been carried
into Poitou, Aunis^and Charente, for thofe
cows are larger, and much thinner, than com*
mon cows, and produce double the quantity of
milk-and butter. They have milk at all times,
and may be milked all the year,' excepting four
or five days before they calve. Though they
eat no more than common cows, their pafturey
however, muft be excellent ; .and as they are
always lean it is certain that all the fuper-
abundance of their food turns into milk \ in-
ftead of which, Common cows become fat, and
ceafe to give milk when they have lived fome
time in rich paftures. With a bujl of this
^reed, and common cows, a baftard kind is
produced, which is more fruitful, and abounds -
more in milk than ti^e common race. Thefe
baftard cows have frequently two calves at a
time^ and they give milk all the year. Thefe
milch cowsf form a part of the riches of Hol-
land, from which place they export butter and
cheefe to a* confiderable amount; they give
as much milk again as French cow^, and fix
limes as much as thofe of Barbary. .

In

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KATURAt HfSTOItr. t^t

tii England, Ireland, Hdland> Switxerlanc^
and other northern countries, they fiilt airf
fmoke the flefli of the ox in lax^e quanttdesi
hoih for the uie of the navy and for the ad<«
vantage of commerce. They export sl(b froia
thofe countries large quantities cf leather ; the
hide of the ox, and that of the cal^ ferringibr
an infinite number ^ ufes. The fat is idfii
very ufeful. The dung of the ox is the beft
manure for li^ht dry folls^ The horn df this
anhnal Was the firft inftrument ever made xxSt
of for drinking, or augmenting founds; the
ifirft tranlparent matter ever ufed for windows
and lanthorns. It is now foftened to make
1)0X63, combs, and a thouiand other things,
£ut I mud conclude, for, as I faid before
Natural Hiftory finiOies where die Hiftory of
^e Arts begin*

SUPPLEMENT.

OXEN are very numerous in T^rtary and
Siberia ; and at Tobolfki black cattle abounds^
In Ireland I formerly remarked that both exm
and cows were without horns ^ but this I find
roi. V, Y applies

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24^ . ^jjuffon's

applies only to the fouthern part, where there
16 either fcarcely any grafs, or is very bad, which
gives ftrength to my pofition, that horns arife
from a fuperabundance of nourifl;iment. Ad-
jacent to the fea the Irifh boil their fifh down
extremely foft, with which they feed their cows,
and of which they are very fond; and it is
iaid t]fQ milk h^s not the (malleft difagreeable
fmell, or tafte therefrom*
~ In Norway, both cows and oxen are very
diminutive j but on the Norwegian coaft they
are bigger, probably owing to their having
better paflure,\and being allowed to range at
perfect freedom; for they are left entirely to
' themfelves without any guides^ unlefs the rams
may be fo called who accom^pany them in winter,
and who fcrape the fnow from the ground
both for themfelves and companions, to get
at the grafs. Living in this wild fkte they
fometimes grow very fierce, and are only to be
caught by means of ropes.

European cattje have multiplied in a mofl:
aftonifliing manner in South America. In the
vicinity of Buenos- Aires, they hunt them merely
for their greafe and- hides, and frequently kill
large quantities. The coaft of Brazil produces
very indifFcrent cattle ; they are fmaH, arid their
Aelh has a had favour, laoft probably owing to
^ - the

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/

/

Digitized by VjOOQ IC

Ene/ravtd tor Barrf Bufi^m,

PuhHiiud fyJJ.BMr. DecSLij^i.

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KATURAL HISTORY* 243

the bad quality of their pafturage* There
are great numbers of oxen in feme parts of
Africa. The mountains are covered with wild
cows from Cape Biarit to Sierra Deona ; their
colour is generally brown with black horns,
and they are fo exceedingly prolific, that both
Europeans and Negroes "find it neccffary to be
perpstuatlydeftroying them by hanting. There
"are alft? wild cows of a dark <?hcrnut colour in
hiany^ parts of Barbary, and in the deferts of
Nutnidia > they -are fmall, run faft, and fre-
quently keep ift flocks of one or two hundred
together. • -

THE SHEZF,

IT doea not admit of a doubt, bat that all
animals which are now adJually domeftic were *
formerly wHd. Thofc whofe hiftory has al- '
ready beeh given, afford a fufficient proof of it •
for there are ftiJl wild horfes, affes, and bulls.
Can man, who has conquered fo many mil-
#Y 2 lions

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244 BVFFOV^ft

lions of iadividuak, boaft of haying fiilx&edf
an entire ^ecies? As they were all created
wicbout his participadon> is ic not reafonable
tp bdieve that Nature enaUed them to exifl
9nd multiply widiout his aid I If we confider^
8everdiele6> the weaknefs and fiupidity of
^ flieep»-and refled^ that this animal^ with-
^ut defence, cannot find iafety in flight; that
ke has for his enemies all devouring animals^
vhidi feem to feek him in prefEaience, and to
devour him by choice ;.diat formerly this ipe*
cies produced but lew i and that die life of each
individual is butfhort;. we (hall be tempted to
diink„ that from the beginning iheep were
confided to the care of man ^ that they had oc«
cafion for his prote^oii to fubfift, and of his
care to multiply ;. efycfialhy as there never were
any wild fheep found in the defer ts. In all
places where man dooi not rvl^ the lion» tiger>
and wotf reign by force and cruelty j^ and thefe
auiimals of blood and carnage^ live longer> and
multiply iafter than flieep. In fliort^ if we
were now to. abandon the flocks^ wfaidiwe
have renderedib numerous^ they would ibon be
deftroyed,. and their Ipecies entirely annihilated
by the voracity of its numberleis enemies*

It-appears, therefore, that it is only by the~
help aod car^ of man ibe^p have been prcferved^

and

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NATURAL HISTORY. I45 .

aiid that they could not have continued to fub-
flft of themfelves. The female is abfoIutel7
•without refource, and without defence. The
ram has but feeWe arms ; his courage is nothing
but a petulance ufeleTs to himfelf,* inconvenient
to othcFs, and which is deftroyed by caftration.
The wedder is ftill more fearful than ewes. It
is through fear that fheep gather fo often in
'troops J the fmalleft noife, to which they ar6
unaccuftomed, makes them get clofe together ;
and this fear is attended with the greateft ftupr-
dity, for they know not how to fly the danger,
nor do they even feem to feel the hazard and
inconvenience of their fituation. They con-
tinue obftinately fixed wherever they are, and
for neither rain nor fnow will they ftin To
oblige them to change their route, or fituation,
they muft have a chie^ who is inftrufted to walk
firft, and whom they will follow, ftep by ftep.
This chief, however, would remain without
motion if he were not driven off by the (hep-
perd, or the dog which guards them, who, in
faft, watches over their fafetyi defends, direits,
feparates, aflembles, and in fliort, communis
cates.to them every motion that is neceffary
for their fafety.

Of all quadrupeds, then, fheep are the niofl

inlienfible, and have the leaft xefources from

Y.3 ' inftina.

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mftin£t* Goats> /which ia. nuny tbwigy
rcfemUe theoii. have mudi moire -£igacity.r
They know how to condu£t them&lves^
and to avoid danger^ and are eafily &ini^
liarized to, new objeds;. the fheep neither
knows , how to fiy from danger,- nor to face
k; let their wants be ever ii great, t^ey never
come to man for affiftance lb willingly as the
goat; and, which in animals appears to be the
laft degree of timidity^ or infenfibility, the^
female wiU fuffer her lamb to be taken away
without ihewiflg any figns of anger^ or trying.
to defend it^, nor by the fmalleft diiFerence in
her bleatingy exprefles the finalleft degree of
forrow*.

But this ammal, fo contemptible in itfelf, fo^^
wanting in fentiment and interior qualities,, is ta
man the moft ufeful of all animals. -Of itfelf
k at the iame time fbrniflies us with food and.
doathing ; without reckoning, the particular
advantages we have from- the milk, the fat,, the
ikiny the bowels, the bones, and even the dung*-
This animal ieenis to evince that namre has-

given

"^ The iKneity df tkis chafi^ o^ iAdilEerence, will b*
doutbted by all who have pafled o?«r the fertile plains o^
Sfigland, while fhele fleety flocks were grating in the fpriogp^
fince, infen&ble indeed muft be that breafty which has not
A3I the teador reipoaiet^of lfa«hleatiBS ewe, aa4 h» diftaiK

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IVATTntAL KISTORT; Iff

pwm k nothing but what is Sot the adyantagt
and coarenteticy of ouou

Love, which in aU animals is the mod
l^enenil arad lively fcnbtum^ - feems to be the
tMdy one which gives any vivacity to the raow
When be feds aiqrAK^h emoti<His, he becomet
petulant, fights, and will fotnetiines attack
even his own ihq^herd. The ewe^ howeveiv
even at thofe times, does not appear more
animated ^ and has only inftim^ fufficient not to
irefufe die approaehes of the male, to chuie.
her food, and to know her own lamb* . Xnflin^
is mofe certain as it is more mechanical
The young lamb, among a numerous flock^.
will fearch and find out its mother, and will
feize its t^t, without ever being miftaken* It
is alio iaidy that iheepL^are fenfible to the plea-
&res of mufic^ that they brouze with mor^
affiduity, are better ia health, and fattea foonec
when they hear the fhepherd's pipe ^ but it
appears more probable that muiic ferves to
amufe the (hepherd,. and^'that it is to thisfoli*
tary, idle life, that Atre owe the origin of the
art. '^ ^

TheTe anlmals> whofe underftandings are .£>
fimple,. are alfo of a very weak conftitution.
They cannot walk long}. traveUiiig weakens
luid exhauft» them i and when they run, they

fart

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14* buffok's

pamt, and are foon out of breath. The great
heat of the fun, is as difagreeable to them, as
too much moifture, cold, or fnoW; They are
fcbjed to many dtforders, the greateft part of
which are contagbus. Super-abundance of
hi fometimes kill them, and always prevents,
the ewes from having young. They fuffer a
great deal in breeding, have frequent abortions
and require more care than any other domeftic
animal*.

^ When the ewe Is near her time, fhe fhould
be taken froni the reft of the flock, and watched
in order to be near to help her in delivery; The
lamb frequently pre&nts itfelf crofsways, or
b3rthe feet j and, in this cafe, the-mother*s life is
in danger if (he is hot affifted. As foon as iDhe
is delivered, the lamb fhovAd be lifted on its
feet, and' the milk drawn out of the mother's
teats; this firft milk being bad, would do much
hurt to the lamb, and therefore it is neceffary to
ftay till .the teats are filled again, before it is
fufFered to fdck. The Iamb is kept warm", and
fhut up for two or three days with the mother,

that

^ THere appears in the text a degree of unufual afperitjr
a^ainil this harmlefs animal^ and all its iroperfediens fecm
]{i^red in glaring coloursi but in this^as well as in feveral
other partlcttiars, Cme exaggeration is adopted^ fince YcarM
any domestic animal, art the tiipe of bringing foitb, re^uirU'
lci»aAAaace tbaa the ewe docs m gejieraJ.

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HATURAL HlStORY. Z^9

that it may learn to know her. For a few
<bys, in order to re-eftablifli the ftrength of the
ewe, ibe ihould be fed with hay> barley wetted,
or bran mixed with a little fait. The water
ihe drinks ihould be luke-warm, with fome
'wheat or bean flour, or millet put into it. In
four or five days fhe may again be ufed, by^de^-
grees, to her common manner of living, and
may be put amongft the others, only obferving
not to take her too far, left it (hould overheat
her milk. Sonietinae after, when the lamb be-
eiiiS to have ftrength, and to fkip about, it may,
with (afety, be fufibred to follow its mother
into the fields.

It is ufual to fend thoie lambs which appear
veak to the butcher^ and to preferve thole
vhich are the largeft, are moft vigorous, and
have the thickeft fleece s the firft lambs are
icarcely ever fo good as thofe of the following
litters. If thoiie lambs are wanted to be reared
which are brought forth in October, November,
pecember, January, or February, they are kept
in the ftable, and only let out to fuck morniiigs
and evenings, until the beginning of April.
$ome time before letting them out they^
ihould daily have a little grals for the purpoie
of accuftoming them by degrees to their new
jQOuriihment. They may be weaned as early

as .

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%<fl buffon's •

as a month old, but it is better to let them fucJ:
for fix weeks or two months. Lambs which
are all white, and without fpots, are always
preferred, becaufe white wool always produces
the beft price. Lambs flxould not be caftrated
Before they are five or fix months -old at the
carlieft, and then the operation Ihould be per-
formed when the weather is moderate, either
in fpring or autumn: it is done two ways,
cither h^ incifjon, or by deffroying thcveflels,'
which terminate in them, by a tight Kgature.
Caftration makes lambs fick and melancholy,
and to prevent the'Jifguft which gehferally fuc-
ceeds they fliould have bran given them mixed
with a little fait For two or tiifee days. \
' At a year old, rams, ewes, and.wedders, lofe
the two forc^ teeth of the under jaw ; they have
to incifive ones in the upper ; fix months after
the two neighbouring teeth fall out atfo; at three
years of age they are all replaced, are then
tolerably even and pretty white, but as the.
animal increafes in years they become uneven
and black. The age of the ram is aHb known
by his horns; they appear t}ic firft year, and
fometimes at hrs birth, and a- ring is added to
them every year after as long as her lives. In
general th'e ewes have no horns, but in their
vplaces two bony prominences; notwithftand»-

in£

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NATURAL. HISTORY. 25I

3ng there are fome which have two and even
four Horns. Thefe ewes are like the others ;
their horns are five or Jix inches long, but lefs
twitted than thofe of the ^ram, and when they
have four the two anterior are fliorter than the
other two. The ram is capable of generating
at eighteen months^ and the ewe to produce at
a year old ; but it is better not to couple them
before the ram is three aud the ewe two ; as
before that period the young will be feeble and
weak, which indeed is generally the cafe with
their firft produftions. One ram is fufficient
to attend 25 or 30 ewes 5 he fhould be chofen
from the ftrongeft and handfomeft of his fpecies;
he fliould have horns, for there are fome rams
in our climate which arc without, but they are
iefs vigorous, and lefs proper for propagation*.
A good and handfome ram fliould have a large
thick head, a wide forehead, large black eyes,
broad nofe, big ears, thick neck, long high
body, large loins and crupper, and a long tail.
The beft rams are the white ones, well covered
with wool on ihe belly, the tail, the head, the
ears, and quite up to the eyes. Ewes which
have wool in the greateft abundance, moft

bufliy,

• This does not always hold good fincc the Lincoln flieep
;ire without horns, and are at the fame time as fine and a«
large as aay io Englandt

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bufhy, whiteft, and moft fiHcy, arc the beft for
propagation; efpecially if they are large, have
thick necks, and walk nimbly. It hasalfo been
remarked, that thofe which are rather lean than
ht are the moft fuccefsful breeders.

The ewes are commonly in feafon from the
beginmng of November to the end of April ;
but they conceive at any time if fupplied with
ftim dating food, fuch as falted water, and bread
made of hemp-feed* The ewes su-e allowed
to go With the ram two or direc times, after
which they are feparated from him; he in-
variably attaches himfclf to the oldeft ewes,
arid defpifes the young -ones. Daring the
coupling feafon great care muft be taken not
to expofe the €wcs to rains or ftorms, for
moifture prevents conception, and a clap of
thunder often produces an abortion. A day or
two after copulation they may return to their
ufual mode of living, for if the (alted water»
hempen bread, and other hot foods, are con-
tinued it will prevent their produce. They
carry their young five -months, and drop them
at the beginmng of the fixth. They com-
monly bring forth but one lamb, though they
ibmetimes have two: in warm climates diey
jproduce twice a year, but in France, and thofe
which arc colder never mor^ than x)nce. The

- ram

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NATtmAL HISTORY. 253

Tarn is admitted to the ewes about the end of
July, or beginning of Auguft, for the purpofe.
of having lambs in January; in September,
Oftober, and November, he is given to a
greater number, from which we have plenty of
lambs in February, March, and April i there
are alfo quantities in May, June, July, Auguft,
and Septemberi'and it is only in 0<3ober,
November, and December, that they are fcarce.
The ewes have milk for fix or feven months ; it
is tolerable nouri^ment for children and country
people, and makes very good cheefe, efpecially
when mixed with cows milk. Tlie time for
milking the ewes is juft before they go into
the fields, or immediately after their return.
In fummer they may be milked, twice a day,
jand once in winter,

£wes fatten when they are with young, be-
caufe they then eat more than at any other
time. As the/ often hurt thenifelv^s they
Jiave frequent abortions, fonaetimes become
barren, and often bring forth monfters j never-
thelefs, if they are well taken care of they will
produce through life 5 that is for ten or twelve
years, though they commonly begin to grow
old and ufelefs by the time they are feven or
eight, ^ The ram lives -till^ he is twelve or
fourteea years old, but is unfit ior propagation
VOL. V. - Z after

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254 ' B^FFOK'S' '

after he is eight. He fhould then he caftratcd,
and fattened with the old ewes. The flcfli of .
the ram is always ill-tailed, that of the ewe
infipid, while that of the weddef is the moft
fucculent and beft of all oiir common meat.

Thofe who wifh to form a flock with a view
to profit, buy ewes ancl wedd^rs from the age
of eighteen mondis to two years, an hundred
of which may be put under Ae care of one
ftiepperd, and if he is carefiiland affifted by a
good dogj'hc'wih lofe tut few. When he
condufts them to the fields' he (hbuld ilways
go firft, accuftdm them to the fodrtd' bf his
voice, to follow him without going alMfe among
the corn, vines, and cultivated lands,* where
they do confiderable damage. Hflls,^ or plains
above hills, afford them the'lfeft arid nribfl:
agreeable paftufe, and they feould' never be
fuffered to brouze in l6w and niarfhy grounds.
In winter they flioald be fed in the liable on
bran, turnips, hay, ftfaw,^lucfcrnei t^feine,
leaves of afii, elm, &C. SOidxmlbfs the leather
is very bad they ihoulii tfe' afiowfi ' ta go -out
every day for the fake of cxiercif</;- Iii the cold
fealbn they fhould not he takfen to the fields be-
fore ten o'clock in th^ morning, aUd reinain for
four or iive hours j they fhould thfeil be 'made
to dxiak, and about' three o'clodc mi the after-
noon

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NATURAL HISTORY. 255

noon be reconduflied home. In fpring and
autumn, on the contrary, they fiiould be taken
out as foon as the fun has diflipated the moiflure
and hoar-froft, and pot taken back again till
near fim-fct» It is fuificient \n thefb two fea-
fons if they drink once a day, and thatjuft he*
fore they return to the ftable, where there muft ^
always be forage for them, though in a fmaller
quantity than during winter. It is in fummer
alone that, they ought to find all their food in
the fields, where they fhould then be condu<Sle4
twice a day and taken twice to driok; they
.fliouldbe led out in the morning while the dew
is on the ground, allowed to feed four or five
hours, and after drinking led back to the foId>
. or fooae ihady place. About three or four
o*clGck itt the afternoon, when the cxcefEvc
heat begins to diminifh, they may be again
. taken imp the fields and allowed to flay until
.the 'night comes on^ ^nd vyere it laot for the
danger of the wolf, it would be better to leave
them a\it all night, as. they do in England,
which would fliajc^ .them more vigorous and
healthy. As violent h^&t grqatly incommodes
them, and the fays pf.lhe fun will give them
the vertigOj they ihquld.always.be kept, when
broufing, . with their heads frpm the fun, (b
that their bodies may form a kind of fhade.
Z 2 ^ And

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2S6 BUFFOW^S ' •

' And it is aT(b very*neceflary, to preferve thetr
Wool, that they fliould?nbtft(i foffercd'to ktd
amoi)gth6tns," 'hilars, <5> briffle^y- : > - * s ^

In dry and "^hfgH '^roiirtdv 1ivHt?€^^<?^^*lRymc
and othetbifefiferorii/ plants ^t)6ttn$-^e flefli
of thetiiefefJ^is'bf sr''fttuch b^ttfip ^^*Utty t!ian
when fed*ort low phih^ ind 'humid vaHeys-;
unlfefs' near the fta 'coaft, w^ierc^ll the herb&gc
havirjg imbibed a degree oF'^faknersj'it rchders
the rfiutton fupdrfbr to thalt f^ 6n iny bftir
'paft:are;it gives alfo ia pleafmg •fiaVour t<> the
milk arid adds to its quantity. 'Nblhl rig 4s
more plcafing to the taftfe cf thefe SEntifea!stlia»
ialt, h6t Is there ^riy thirig more ' fafottiry tor
'them when ghreii in moderation : in tbrUe Jyf a<95s
tbty-put a bag offak, or falt-ftone, h^to the
'■fheep-f6ld/ the which they will i*l-*lict by
turn^' • • \ ' ' . ,

Every year 'thofe growrt oP a proper age to

fatten flfouT^ be picked out of <he ftock, as they

^requiiAj a tfifFerent treatment. If iwfirifttftery

iheyfhould W taken to the fieW' before (ua-

rife'that ihey tnay feed on the. grfeifs whUethe

dew remains • upofn it. Nothing contributes

mefrfe to fatten flieep thah water taken in great

quantities, and nothing retards it oi^rc than the

•heat 6( the fonj for whioh reafpit they "fliould

be takeft im<i fiie'Dikde by hinc ' o^:lock in die

* morning^

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NATURAL Hi^Tomr. 55 7

morning) before the voilent heat comes on, and
a^litdc fait {hould be given tlieoi to excite theiff
appetite for wat^n About four o'clock in the
afternoon they ihould be led put again to fre(h
and moifi: paftures. This care purfutxl for
two or three months is fufficient to make them
Acdxy ai>d fat; bat thi$ faty which originates
from the great quantities of water drank by the
animal, is only a. kind of purfy f^A^clIing) and
would foon occafion the rot; it is therefore
neceflary to kill them immediately when they
acquire this falfe fat; even their fleli, inftea^d
, of having become firm and JMicy,. is frequently
the more flat and infipid. If « we would have
good mutton^ befides feeding, them in the dew
and giving them plenty of water, it is neceilary
th^ {hau)d bave more fucculent food than '
grafs. In winter, nay in all feafons they may
be fattened by keeping them iaftab^s aodfeed^^
ing them with the flour, of barley> o^ts^ wheats
beans, &;;. mixed with fait to inake ^m drink
more frequently. But whatever . niode is
followed,, jt (hould- be do^ quickly^ and the
iheepihould be killed immediately, for they
cannpt be fattened twice,, and almpfl alt die
with dife^kfes of the liver*.

We frequently find worpnt in the livers of
animals y a. dcfgription of thofe found in iheep
: « Z 3 and.

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258 BUFFON**

and oxen is contained in the Journal i'd§^
Savans of i669^ and in the German *Ephi-i
merides. It was ♦ thought ' th^f «hefe woitn*
we;ie peculiar tb- ahithals which chew the cxidy
but M. Daubef ton difcoverei feme Iri the liv^
bf an afs, and it is fSrobaWe thejr wright be
found in thofe of many oth^r anifiials< la ha^
alfo tecft fard that butterflies are Ibmetimes^
found in the livers of Aeep; and' in conforma-
tion of this JVf. RouilW favoured tec wiA a
letter of M» Gachet de Beaufort,, containing.
the following obfcrvations : ^tt has long been
remarked, that our Alpine wedders- frccfuentljp^
lofe their flefb on a fudden; thM! their eyed
turn white and gummy^ that their blood b€-»
ccmes ferous, having fcarcely any red globoles^.
their tongues parched, and ther? nofes ftu^d-
with a yellow purulent mucus* It is true this
does not afic£b the appetite of the aninia], but
makes him^extremely weak, and termiiiatea ia
his ' d^ath. From repeated di&^tions it* had
been difcovered, that animals fo* sffe&cd have
always butterflies in dieir livers, Which butter-
91^3 are white, and furnifiied witk wings 9
their heads are/ nearly oval, hairy, and about
the fi^e of thofe of the fiik-womi fly. Above
feventy which I fqueeced out of thp two holes
convinced me of the truth of this fiiA.'f From

this

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KATOTiAL HtrroRY. i^g^

iMs defcription of M. Be^urort I cannot ^d^i
Bait myfelf as. pofitLvely icoiwinced. of their
being butterflies^ beoaufe kheyhava fo near a..
j^fembSftnjCQ. to thie cqvfjm^rk woriins found ia
Ag iiVera pf ifaitqp) wbi^bfare fidt^, bxpad> and *
ef b SkBguhf a igwe, a& to ^gtar a^ firft
rather leaves th^a worms.

It is cqftoniary foj^ fhcep to be (hora every
year j and in warm countries vtrhere tfeey. appre-
hend tio danger frpoi leaving the animal quite
bare, they do not flieer the virojl^ but tejy: it
QiF, and thofe frequently And a fufficiency (q
bave two« crops in a year. In France, and ia
colder climates, the fleece is iborn only once
a y^ar, and then » part ef the wool is perr
mitted to remain by way of preferviiig the
animal bom the intemperance of the weather*
This operation is performed in the month of'
May, after the fljeep have been well, w^cd t^
render the wool as clean as pottle* The
month of AprH is too cold, a&dif delayed. to
July^ there ivould not befufflcient time for the
wool to grow to preierve them- from the cold
of the following winter. The wool of the
weddcr is gene i ally better, aiid in greater abun*
dance than that of the ewe or ram ; diat on,
the neck aiKi cop of th^ back,, is muchfuperior
to that on the thighs, beliy^ tai^. &c. and. that

taken

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^6o buffon'Is'

taken from the bodies of dead) or difeafed
animals, iis by mutli th€ worft. Wlritewool
is prrfcrable to greys brown, or blacky .becaufe
in dying it will take.any colour, and that which
b fmooth andileek is |feax3rtiiaci«iiie Juried > it
is even faid^ that (heep whofe wtiolisr curbd are
not fo good as the others. Folding fheep is of
grear advantage to the hthdy aisd when it is
wifhed to imprpve any* by this means, the
ground muft be inclofed, and f be Aoek fliut in
«very night during the fuiimier; the dung^
urine, and heat of the animals, will foon en«
rich the moft exhaufted, cold, and infertile
grounds. An hundrisd (heep in one fummer
will fertilize eight acres of land for fix years.

The ancients h^ve remarked that all animals
which chew the cud have foet, but this is onljr
^ue with the (heep and goat , and that of the
iheep is more abundant, whtteF,^ drier, and
better than that of any other; Suet differs
materiaHy from fat or greafe, as the latter re-
mains foft, but the foriner hardens in cooling.
The fuet amaiTes in the greateft quantities abouc
the kidneys, anddiereare always more about
the left thafi the right^, there is alfo a great deal
m the epiploon, and about the inteftines, but
that is not near fd firm and good as that of the
kidneys, Cat],; axid utberearts of the hodj^
i - - ^ Sheej^

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KATtJRAt HISTORY. l6l

Sheep have no: other fac than fuet, and this
matteDis.W prrfdomiiwtltiJriitJieijr-bcidies, that
their fl*fli>IisitoY«r^vvWtlh il-j-^^v^i^tl^iJiiWood
contsunftra i o^nfidGhklQnq^^aitit^fv! i^^^. thei^

aippta^i0oe^t<>^thiiMi;^fti^y^^>l)f^9/^ .That

'«rfp«niMj^H&c id0gyihor^r'a|ftivWi |M»ebabIy of
dH;iimm^5 1yhich;h«fVQr:»oe; ftibe^y lk[UAfi^p by
«ticl,/4Wid,heco»>e9 mcn?^, a^.ciKWe |Luid^ftK>m
Ihoiiiioimid klcolna^ 0^ o6fjtihe4>c]dy,iv but that
of: lAe ram^ '^oal^) and^ {let^jar) > bf, r aU ^aiViDals
vhiob^.hiv^ fuelc^ hardens, anc} k)fe% all it$
£u«lie}9V(lijLiiiu h^at.' I difepv^rcdr tb^ib di,f-»
isinncds ivvjieat enaatimng thei-r diiferent liquors
wuhtthcmlcFofoopi^. TbaJ ol the/amfixe*a
fewr^ aioittcnt» , after it is out of /da^e body,'^nd
¥im ofder Iid difcpver (be; living orga^ik: «moI^
«ule8^ ! of- which it contains grea* ,numbcr«i
3ieat nm& be applied to keep it . in a ftate . of
fluidity.
.1 The 'flaiVDiir of the ileft>;.tbe 6ntn^k of
diewooly the quantity of the <ii^t^^Rad ^ven
:tfaff.:fi2e:of -the rflwep jdiftir gruSdy irj»di|Ferent
cotftories. At Bfirri^; in Frafacc, they abound j
ithofa ofjthe eitvirons^ of Beauvcis, and feme,
other parts: fof 'Noniiaddy> are the fatteft> and
bave^ thegpjeateft.^uaaitiry -of faet- Tb^y are
very; good ia Bimgundy} but the ]k& aijs thoie

which

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2^ RUFFON^S-

which arc fed upon the downs in our maritime
provinces. The wt>o\ of Italy, Spain, and
England is finer.than the wbol of Fraace. I»,
Poitou, Provence, in the environs of Bayonne,
anci feveral other parts of France, there is fotne
flieep which appear ta be of a foreign race*
they are larger, ftronger, and have a greater
quantity of wool than thofe of the. common
breed. They are aJfb more prolific, generally
producing two Iambs at a time. The rams of
this breed engender with the common ewes and
produce an intermediate race. In. Italy and
Spain there is .'a great variety, in their races of
Iheep, but they fliould all be regarded as form-
ing one fpecies with our common fheepi which
though fo riumerQus does not extend bcyoni
Europe. Thofe animals with large l)road tails,
fo common in Afia and. Aftic?, and which tra- .
vcllers have given the name of B4rbary fheep;
appear to be of difFcrent fpecies from our com**
mon fheep, as well as from the pacos and lama
of America.

- White wool being moft efteemed, thofe
Iambs which are black or ipotted are com-
monly led to flaughter. There are fome places
however where almoft all the (beep are black;
and white rarns and ewes will' frequently pro-
duce fpotted Iambs. In France there are only

whitc»

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; )

,. . 4

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I I

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NATURAL HISTORY. 263

•white, black, and fpotted ; in fpain there is a
reddilh kind, and in Scotland there are fome
of a yellow colour : but fhefe varieties in co-
lour are more accidential than the difference
and variety of the breed, which notwithftand*
ing oniy happens from the influence of climate
and the difference of nourifhment.

SUPPLEMENT.

1 WAS favoured with the drawings of two
Walachian Sheep* (figi 24, 25. J by Mr, Co-
linfon a Fellow of the Royal Society of London>
^ whofe horns are very different from ours, but
I was never able to difcover whether they were
of the ordinary kind in Walachia or fome ac«
cidental variety.

, In Denmark, Norway, and in the northern
parts x)f Europe, the fheep arc very indifferent ;
and it is cuftomary there to improve the breed,
to have rams frequently imported from Eng-
land.

' * The annexed reprefeatations weretaken from two of thefe
iWing animal 8y the property •of Mr. Clark j andaa the nkeneff
was ftron^ly attended tOy will be found more «6rrt£t than
ibt draw'mgi copied into the works of oAr author*

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264' BU?FOW*S

land. la the Iflands near Norway the ih^ep
are conftantly left in., the fields, and they are
much larger and produce better wool than thofe
who are attended by nieo. Pontopiddon afTerts
that thofc. Iheqi. which Hmc in perfe<a liberty
alwa^^, fleep on,.tb^ fide, of die Uiand from
whence the wind will blou^. tl|e fiext tiay^ and
this is conftantly attended to by the mariners.

The Iceland iheep have larger and tiiicker
horns than the common fheep of theie clitxtates ;
fomc of them have four ar fiv;e horns, but this
is not common, and when they find. any. fo
ornamented, they' are fent to Copenhagen and
ibid at an high price, as gceac rurittieft. ' *

THE COAT.

THOUGH the fpecles of animals are all
feparated by an interval which Nature ,a^nnot
overleap, yet fome refemble others in fo many
refpe(^s that there feems only a neceflary fpace
to draw a line of feparation. When we com-
pare thcfe neighbouring fpecics, and confider
lihem rdativdy to ourfelves, fome appear to be

of

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NATURAL HISTORY. 26$

of the greateft utility, and others ieem to bo
only auxiliary fpecicS) whick might in mzny
rcfpeSti {etve in the place of the fermer. Thu^
the afs might nearly fttpply ^ pbce of thq
horfi^ and the goof that of the jSieep. The
goaty like the &ee|H fwniflies bodi milk and
fuet ia great abundance. ~ Their hair, though
coarfcr than wool^ can Cerve the purpofe of
making very goo^ cklh ; their (kins are more
vai^Mc dian thofe of « the flieep ; and the fiefh
of a jpoung kid nearly re&mbles that of lamb%
Thefe auxiliary fpecies are wilder and more
robttft than the priocifM^ The a^ and th^
goat do not require nesyr fo much care as the
horfe and the fheep, for they every where fin4
ni6aa9^ of fitppor^ and brooae equally on the
moft coarfe as on the moft delicate plants $
they are leis zSoSkcd by die influence of the
climate, and can do better without the aid of
man 9 the lels dependence they have on us the
more they feem to belong to Nature; and, in-
ftead of cOnfidering theie fubordinate fpecies
as degenerations of the principal fpecies; in^
ftead of looking on the afs as a degenerated
horfe; it might with more reafon be Ciid, the
Jhorfe is an ^ brought to perfedlion, and that
the (beep is a more delicate kind of goat^
which we have taken care of, brought to per-
Vol. /V. a a feilion

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l66 BtJFFON*S

fedioD, and jpropagsted for our crnn ufe ; aikfy
in general) ^€m A^'iftbft^MttfbdiJ^eciesj efpe-
ciall^ iknSt^ ikml^i&'^kA^^

which ?HbcHU^'\b(j||tfi«lar'iiioi^

hf- NirtuhrWe'^tttly 3l6g^dr«iNi3wlieQaii£«ql

Althotigli "ih^ gdat %^r^4HKfi^ !Q)#rtei»,oMd

fteia&'te froiil the**(»fc, yetitto ^babfeaWB
a$ wHUrtglytiohple Mdi the' ilrt'erfa^Ulc^lWte
With the maiti the ram' with /tiie&d-goat'iti
Ae &ne manner as the horie VnVti tt94t»3a^
Btit thotigh thefe couplings happttf ^^erjM fm-
quent, and are fometimes prolHie/^t^^fal-
termediate fpecies has been formed' beetvetor fie
gdat and the flieep* The tworfjpceies a^e ^dif-
tin£l, remaining at 4fae fiime'diftanee firttn each
other; no change has been effected- ^ ^
intermixture, ho newdr tei4dte'la^'faas'«riftn
thbrefirom $ at 'moft 4my ^\re only pfodK:$d
Indii^aiial 4iflfer^M<^s,' wfaitlh l&mi M iriduMtore
oh Hii^lhtty «P tack )>#{midve f^ies, 4sii^ on
tfae'cbhtrar^V c^finn tte f«ali«y of diet^ ifif-
fci-eht diihuaerlftfcs;

TRH^e %re, howcfi^j iianf eaife iir wfifch
We ca^nc^«ftkl^i& tMfet:hatwQeh) Mr pto^
xiounce i^n their iSSttMflS^ ikith certaihty :

there

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NATURAL HISTORY* %6j

there are others in. wl^chjyp.^e obliged to
fufpend our Opinioo^^ mAMa 9^9!^ Wf^^^^ oi
other? we hav^ m|^i^e)(|D$^y^ ^^!^Sg^f<^^
our guide -, ^ khMVfi^^ ^(^bc^^MiVfemimy
arifing linoin th^)«oii«»ri^iiogigiJ^9Q^..iic-

flpeaing viorofcfW.rfeSl ^im4(^^^^ -9f : the
doubts refulting from the ina^^^i^acy ^.tbcxfe
'ili|[K>.h^v«fndqikV9iHred. ta. pbferjp N^^e^^the
g)rtfUqft^tfb(bi}le(o.thf^dv;^^ l;m)>«>-

IfidgdJ^onri igooranire .^f .^ gfj»afi wi^b^r. of
laffilfts «9bidi iime )¥is 119^ d^iclofed tqucbv^^a^d
wktc^eatl only be rev^edrjto )?Qft^ity ^y-c*-
.perifgkrfs, find the moft accurati^ ptp^efvation^^
ki.. the meftA. lime we ftray ia jdarkjQ^% ^-
plescfl; between. prejuAlices and probahiIi|ief»
igimsM.evm of poffibi^des,. a^'eyery.m9«i^
iDeot. CPD&MtBding tbes opinioms^ qfr99fia^witjli
the aS$' of Nature. Jgiiaa^plefiir^e- iu .a^a-
daops J but,.' witbom qwittiog omr iubje<3;, we

. gethoBi thotigh. m ^ Sil\lrp>:ic^x^y(kf^

ixi gsoisraly wii>Arr«^ b^^^% tbof^^pfQicluced
. from the he-afs andmar^/Qri(h^:tt%wif.^ ihe*
. afti^ 2|Ke ;ftBBrile(„i;||utTd44%/c«>ii^9« ^Vfffi have

no .&IUJlJdtiM|;aili[fi9lllKu.^^

aff««i^;lh^:.tbe li^iti^uej^ at ^ven years
Aa 2- oid^.

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268 BUFFON^S

old, and 'that it can pr6duce with the marc;
they fay alfo that the (he-mule is capable or
toric^t«!»A,"btrt: that fhe tztbifyt^Ying he^^fruit

td pferfsafton.^^* Ut^mtt^rj^^^km^to^m^

Sroyxyp^nBfid tiie tMft Wfli6feffi6te,%Ke
they bl*U«* the rea! flaHnaf&iW^inlVhdir'aiid
'the theory* bf ^h«r gfencfrifion r *ftd ,t!hdugh
Sve knew diftinBHythc'^ie^'cf aj^thcr'^-
"mals Hvhich' {inrhuiri'US^ yet%6 afe -igtiinB*
;what Irhlght W pfoilidttl Bf -aniA^^inlltftW^
^ong tliemfel^fes, 6ir ^ith'ftyreign''^fe^iffi«M.
'We are butiirinformeJ of the3umar,'an ^-
'mal faid to bd the producre tDf a ^?6Wdftd ah
'sriS, or a mare and a bull. W^ 3fe%11b1^»-
itntwhethtr Ae fefebra would hot prdadCe'^rttti
' the hbrfe ot the*^, orAe%rt)a(!itiifc*fiatrtPy
ram with a common ewe j whether Ihe'-^tf-
" mbis goat te iatiy ffiing more *tfcah a cbiwiion
goat 'in a VHff ftate, df whether an'intettnBfttflfe
would iSidt fbtm ah^ inteVifn^Jh»!cr raee^; 'wh^Aier
thi^ ftiottkies ^ ^f diffevent^l^icsi orj^^lleC
thjft of the dbg; it l^ 'ohd^ iTid^ Ite famfei^^feit
yitm'^f^ gte^ nudAlei^^f dfflbWnr W^i^a*-,
whether^' the' dc^cari piWuce 'With fli^'fc^ attd
thtf WfcVj th^ fti^ with'%c'tow,'&c.f -^'Oar
igtW^dfe ''IfH 'Mbit ofnh^fe'fe^fe ft-almdftStt*
VindHki^ and^th^e^ feXperi ttmy iMhJtfh ^Wbtftd de-
decide them requiresln^re time, care, and ex-
"^ pence,.

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KATUftXL HISTORY* 269

pence^ tbaa die life and fortune of moft men can
yeraitt.

. Oa the^ determinatiqii of tbele £a&Sy how^
ever^. depends. oiu; knowledge} of.^^uun^Is^ the
exan^ dt^n^on of their ijpecies^^.(be inteUi«>
g^ce of their genuipe hi^ory and manner of
I3«ating them. But fince we are deprived o^
JcQpwIcdge.f^ necefTary, fince it is not poffible
tQ proi^ed upon pofitive b&s^ we cannot do
better than go ftep b^ ftep, to confider each
animal individualiyr to look, on thofe as diffe«
sent fpecies^ who do not procreate. together^ and
to.f«rite their hiftory in feparate articles^ re»-
ferving to ourfelres a power to unite or fepa*-
£a<e> aiS. we (hall acquire a more perfe<^ know**
ledg^grom our own. experience,, or from that
ofoth^rSk.

It is^. for this reafon that though^ there are*
naai^.. animals which refembleL the. (heep and
g0at,iwe have t^kenjiotice of only, the doirieftic
kinds. We ai:e ignocant whether, foreign Jdnds
.would intermix apd form new races, wi^h our
cpmmon ^ciesi we <ai^ therefore authorisied.
to^onfidfsr them ^s diH^nd) fpecies^. till itr can
Ite. proved that^thefe. foreign kinds caiji procreate
with the jCpmmon ^ produce fertile individuals :
this dflgree^Alone oonftituting: thofeality.of what
A.a X ihould;

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a7<5 «urFON*s

fliould be denomifuiteii ipecm hoA in the aiu<»
mal and vegetable kingdnms.

Tiie gaarlttis iNrtunAjr iriom ^lagadty than
-dielbeep andocJn A»f Wsep foinitfblf: He
com96 to iiiioriif^hiinfrlf 4uid i& eafyfimiiiaazed ^
be is^feiifiUe of^ dartfies-^aml capaUe* of cnoch
attadMDeitt f teid^^er ftrong^ ligli^ agile and
kfe tktiM tfiah the flieej^j' hi$ teliv'e)}^ eapri^
cioufii and laAfivJods^ ahd it re<|^e9^i»ih lrott«-
ble t^ e6nd§a them im<v flocks:' ^^1%^ aie
fondofftrayinglmafolitude, df'cMmbing'Aeii^
and nigged places^j to ftaiid and e«9eniOofle|^
on the top$ ^ rocks ot brinks df j^ree^ioes^
Thie female feeks die mate i»iih eageme&and
m^auLt i ihe is robluft and eafily feppefttd, eat--
ing almiift alt kinds ^ lierbs and lrei«)^>ibw dif-
agreeing with her. The botfly temperament^
ifhirh in all animals has great iiilliueliee on^e-
difpofitbn^y does not feem te Afk!t ^flen^ iit
Afl goat from 4hat of the flieep.. Th* interior
organkuition of theTe tm> fpecies of animsds-is
almoft'entiWly the fame j they are My pMiTy.
and multiply in the feine manAeis and have tte
£u»ie'dtfesdfes, ^tepting. a feW- to whidi the
goat is »ot fiibjeA. - The geatf is neit, like die
ibeepi afl%£hd vfiA too fr^at a A^gMie of^heat^
but voitiiitariif e3t|4(ea triadbtf tN^^iii^ iiiNiUtft

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NATURAL HISTORY. S7T

rays of the fun, asid ffeepQ therein without fuf-
feringa vertigo^ or vtf other: inconvenience^
He isnot akrmecl by rarnt or florms, but zp»
pdars lei!£bIe>of theirigorlof cold. Tbeexi>
t&mt moveiatoldi itt, alt^ead^ remidbecly depend
]e6 ontheknmfernftadon Qfehe body^ than on^
*die ttnagAmd variety^ 1^ their fenfimooB, for
which reafoCt they are flfK^re Itvely.^nd lek re^
gttliU' iflt the gQ9t thanf in the flieep. The in*
conft$kflCy of bi$ dtipc^ition i^\ ft^ngly oiarked*
by4he irregularity of his actions; he walJc.*^
fto^sihort, runs, /kips, jumps, advances^ re-
treats, tbtew% and conceals himfelf, or flies off^
, and all this firoo^ mere caprice, and^ without
any odier <aufe .^an what arifes from the
ilAt0)ficftli£y of his teii^>er^ the fupplenefs of
hi« i^rgam and itrength ^^ nervouAiefs of his
frame are Icarcety fufficient.ta fupport the pe*
fulanceand rapidity of bis natural motions.

That thefe anioaials are naturally fond of iaen^.
and thateveii in utwAabiled countries, they
ftet^y iK> feirage ^difpof^ons, the -following
afieHcdote,4^ s^-iEli^^ong confuripation. ilac^l6gB^
an Ei^fk vaSkl having, put into harbour /at
Ae jffland of BonavjAa, t\¥Q negroes went on
hmr^i and offered ^(be Captain as many goats
as h^;^hQpfed tci carry awayj . he expiir^ng a
&rpris&eat tbisofier» the negroes Informed him

there

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Vfl ' buffonV

there were only twelve perfons on die ifland^
and that the goats multiplied fo faft as to be«>
come exceedingly troublefoi^e, /or ii^B^ pf
being bard to, be caught, they followed ,t^pt
about with a degree ^ cbS^josus^ |ike ^oj^i;^
donieftic^maI&

Tiie male ^^. 26^1goat UpiS»aW^ of eng^^de^
iog ata jfear^and ^efemalesai^venmoii^ol^^.
but the fruits of Ais early coupling are gPne-
vallyweak aodfdefeAiire, .jind there^re they are
commonly .re;ftrained until tbey are .eigbtefn
m^n^ or two yeass. The^*goat is hand*
fome, vigorous, and ardent; and one is fufjp
ficient to accompany i,5p females for two or
three months;, but this- ardour, which foon'
cpnfumes him, does not laft more than three or
four years, and by "the age of iive or fix, he
becomes aged and enerv^ed. Th/srofore, in
choo/ing: a..male for propagation^ he fliQuld be
large, haodfome, and about two yesirs pld ;
bis neck ihQuld be ibort and tbick, his head
light, his eivshangipg downy his thighsthick, his
leg&firm, his hair black,, thicky and foft,and his
bcu;d long and bufhy. The. choice of the female .
(Jig.T.'j) is of lefs importance,, only pbferving
that tbofe with large bodies, thick thighs, who
walk lighv have large udders, .^d foft. bulby
hair are the^moft preferable. They are ufually

in

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Be Goal

fHh&fktdfyJSJUwrNoH u<.i7^.

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•• \c.:v, JLV !>'•• rrnrj^tr •!-

^t •.■

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NATURAL HISTORY. %yj^

n feafoii in September, Oftober, and No-
vember, though they will couple and bring
/orth at all times. They retain^however, much
furer in autumn; and the months of O^ber
and November arc preferred, becaufe the graft
will be young and tender when die kids begin
to eat. They go about five months with young
and bring forth at the beginning of the fixth i
tfaey fuckle their young a month or five weeks ;
fo that about fix and twenty weeks may be
reckcfiied fi-onf the time of their coupling
to the kidsfitffi beginning- to feed on paf-
ture. - . 1 . . ;

When kept among flieep they do not mi*
With them, but afways precede the flock. They
prefer feeding feparatelyj are fond .of getting
upon the tops of hills, and even upon the moft
Aeep and craggy parts of mountain's* They
fihd a fuf&ciehcy of food on heaths, barren and
uncultivated grounds. Great attention is ne-
ceflary to keep them from corn, vines, and
young plantations, as they are gi^j^eftroyers",
and eat with avidity the' tender Tarks, and
young ihoots of trees, and thus prove fatal to
their growth. They avoid humid and marfhy
fields, or rich paftures : they are feldom kept
on flat lands, becaufe it does not agree with
them, and it makes their fleih tU-tafbd.^ Iii

moft

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274 buffon's

moft warm climates goats are ratfed in great
numbers, and never put into the fiables. In
France th^ wou)d pf^i^ic^f jP§| j^epvf d from
the inclemeo/fVrjpf ti^^iV^i^^m't.i^^ l^ir^ofetpe-
ccflkry 4P,,mf th^m X^m ikk\i^% feW9?fj
though. 9Mpl\^]]ir^ M^hfixcf:^r,m^.^d^^
moi#4^-.j$.5(^/, lM|U?^l,fft |lvw^,^ti|gfj^ij^^
nevei; jjp fiiffei^^ip lie ^ff^xi ^ir own 4W8fe
TAcji!jo^l4,be^|^k^

early IP 4bp ff^pipfdj^^ i$^ ^

grafs, , .^h^, thpHgH i*^^ ihrYffg

^^9fr j^«^ goat?- Aj^ Aqf are.ipitraa^ilflc
mi yimi^px^ animals ;tbe moft afiiv^^ ajod
fobuil|^^;nwcan|F^t jQMpage m9rf t|^ fil^ of
th«n^ ,T^ ihqi|14 never he Xu%[ed.jta^o
0S*,<IuriiJ5;^ih<^^ca:Jb»ar froi^i ^ij^ bf^l^fpf jp
tb^ jftable^ andied .wt^ he^gp> f y^l lh rf ^ (^
of tffiesi gathered ja;^ .autumn, :or.. on. c^bljj^g^.
turp|p% apd ^tber roo|5^ ^ The ^ory, tj^^^^cat
^the^eatjpr js,ths}r g^aiidfg^.^in^^^tQ^gnr
creirfe t^ieirflpijk i^\lfnt^^.^\gxp ffl^dg

felt, iji,4;Jieii:,,j5^. JiWoWfehf "^^k^^nW

will .cpfitifli^ to jaif/ft a ,c;fBifidg?j|j\^ .««»f?ftty
twioe,a(^^iBK,%ff-or.^<i,l^^ <i5i/

two^ vcjy. r^cfe t^^^M ficy«:.j|jpre.-tl»a

fiour,;

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NATURAL HISTORV 275

four; (he continues to breed front one year of
eighteen monthft) Untfl (he t^ fetrt^n years of
age. -Tlii^^he»-^t Will l)i^pagate ^^"long, if
prdt)#6ai^ ft^takdW^f fc&fi^, >9ut:*f^d6toftionly
htttriSi^ iSAhfy ^t iV6\ltt fiir^l ' ff ^ is lOielr fent
to fatferf ittion^ ififbltf ari# y^iiiit^ ittUff gokts
ixfMdi' hil^e btiift cittrit^'^8 rthaferih^ir iftefli
rto^jlficy ^^ %tMferi'^ Tkii^ are ^tfened
witK g^t cjffcj'^lft tHfcfettJ^aiiiher as Adders,
btii ftef *(^'nth^r ;fb^^o6^^^
iptota'- clfirtate;^ ^re*'niu^ 111*

tafltoJ. The' ftrbng fittell 6f tfie goat '3064
not proceed from his flefli but his (kin.' "Theiffe
irfiiftJ^s "are not pei*hSt«ed to gtow'x)i&yOt
pSrbtfpS ftey might live to ten or twetve years;
biit^If'h' ufual to kill tliem as foon as they
ceafc to muTriply, becaufc the^ldit they are the
vro^c is' there flc(h. Both male^'atid female 4
goats have horns, with a very ihw ^eptJons ;
they vary very much In the colour of thch-halr :
it IS faid that thofe whlfch are white, and hive
no horns, give diemdfKnOk, arid thalf the Mack
ones are the ftfongeft. Though they coft
-very Kttle tot flieir fbbd llifey ptodtice a cbn-
fldfertMe profit i their fidhj tellow, hait, and
(kin, are all VMiteWe ci*mo*tics^ ' Their
mHk i^inari^"wh<^(bn9e and better ^than^ that
(tf 'the'^epj it b uictf-m medicirte) curdles

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276 buffon's

eafily,.-aiid makes very good cheefe. The fe-'
noales will allow themfelves to be fuckled bf'
young children, for whom their milk is ex-
cellent nouriihment. Like cows and (beep
they are fucked by the viper, and alfo by a
bird, called in France, the Goat-fucker, which
fiiftens to thtir teats during the night, and, as
fome fay, makes cbemlofe their milk for ever
after.

Goats have no inciCve teetb.in the upper
jaw; thofe in the under fall out, and are re-
placed in the bme lime and manner as thofe of
Che fheep. Their age may be afcertained by
the knobs in their horns, and their teeth. The
number of teeth in the female goats is not
always the fiunci Jbut they ufually. have fewer
idian the mal6> whofe hair is alfo more rough^
and who has the beard and horns longer.
Thefe animals, like the ox and fheep, have four
ftomachs, and chew the cud. Th^ir ipecies is
more generally diffufed than -that of iheep, and
goats fimilar to ours are found in many parts
•of the world; only in Guinea, and other warm
climates they are (mailer, and in Mufcovjr and
the more northern regions^ they are larger.
The g09ts of Angora and Syria, with ears
hanging down, are of the fame fpeci^ with
ourS) as they intermix together, and will

produce

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NATURAL KWTORY. 177

produce in thefe climates t the males have horns
almoft as long as the^ cotnftion kind, but their
dire<S);bns are very.dif&i-€/it,,^they ^e extended'
horizontally from . each fide of the head5 and^
form fpirals fomewhat like a fcrew. The horns
of the female are fhort, they bend backwards,
then turn down, and their points came forward
fo as nearly to approach their eyes j bur the dl-
regions of thefe fometimes vary. Thefe de-
scriptions are from a male and female goat
which I have feenv Lifee mpft Syrian jmimajs,
their hair wJas very long and thicfe, and fo fTne
that fluffs have been made of it almoft as hand-*
fome and gloily as our iilk^

SyPPLEMENT,

PONTOPPIDAN fays, that goats^ abound
in Norway, and that more than 80,000 • raw
hides are annually exported from Bergen "alone, -
befides thofe w^ich are dreffed. But they
feem peculiatljrcalculatcd for this country, as'
they fewch for their food upon high and rugged
YOL. v« B b * . mountains

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a;^ BUFFON'd

mountains, are very courageous, and fo far
from fearing' the w^lf, will even affift the
dogs in repelling their attacks upofa' the
flocJc.

THE SWINE, THE HOG OF SIAM, AND THE
WILD BOAR.

I SHALL tres^t .of^ thefe three at the fame
time, becaufe they form but one fpecies. The
one i$ wild, and the other two the fame animal
only domeftic j and though they are different
in fome external marks, and perhaps in fome
of their habits, yet thefe differences are not
very e&ntial, but relate Only to their condition 5
they are not^much changed by their domeftic
ftate ; as they will intermix and produce
fertile individuals j the only charafter
which conftitutes a diftin^t and permanent
(pecies,

' ^ • ' .It

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NATURAL HISTORY. 279

It is fingular in thefe animals that their fpe^
cies feems to be entirely diftiiKSt by itfelf, and
not connedled with any other^ which may be
coniidered as principal or accefTary, like that
of the horfe with the afs, or the goat with the
iheep ; nor is it fubjeft to a variety of races
like the dog ; it participates of many fpecies,
yet eflentially differs from all. Let thofe who
would ci/cumfcribe the immeniity of nature
into narrow fyftems attend to this animal, and
they will find it furmounts their methodical ar-
rangements. In its extremities it has no re-
femblance to whole-hoofed animals, being
rather cloven4ioofed, and yet it does not re«
femble them fairly, becaufe thodgh it appears
to have but two toes, yet it has four concealed
within ; i^or does the hog refemble thofe which
have the toes feparated, finte he he walks only
on two toes, and the other two are neither fo -
placed, nor extended fiiffidently, to be made
ufe of in^that refpe6t. Shall yre confider this
as an errors in nature, and that thefe two toes
fo concealed ought not to be reckoned ? If fo
it (hould be remembered that this error is con«
flant ; that befides the pther bones of die feet
do not refemble cloven^fopted. animals, and
that there are flriking difF<^ences in many othec
fcfpefb^ for thQ latter have, horns and no in-.
B b a ciUve

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#8o buffon's

cifive teeth in the upper jaw, they have four
ftomachs, chew the cud, &c« while the hogi»
on the contrary, has no horns, but one ftomach,
does liot chew the cud, and has cutting teeth
both above and below ; thus It is evident, he
neither belongs to the fpecies of hoofed or
^loven- footed animals j, with as littlepropriet}^
can he be ranked among the web-footed animal$
iince he diflFers from them not only in the ex-
tremiti^ of the feet, biitin the teeth) ftomach, in-
teftlne6, and internal part^ of generation. All that
can be bid is, that iaibme tetptSts he fofm$.thd
ihade between the wholfi and doven-feoted ani*
mals, and in. odiers between the cloveo^fodted)
and digitated animals ; .fiai- j\e diiFers lefs ^om
^e whok-hobfed quadrupeds in die form and
number of his teeth than from others; :he alfo
refembles them ia ihe Ipngth^pf his jaw, and;
like them, has but ooft ftomach ;but by an appen^
d4ge anneiied.'to it^ as well at bytheppfitioa
pf the inteftinesy hft.'!iiben9& i^earlyto approach
idjie cloven-rfcoted atumals^or thbfe who chew
the cud,'. He likevi^e reiirmbles them in tha
•eternal parts of generation,, at die &xas time
in the make of jts Jegs, fari)it$ of body, num"
ber of young, it approach^ Very near td th«
digitated qua^rupedsr

Ariftgdd

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NAT«?llAt HISTORY. - ^I

-- Ariftotle was the firft who diirided quadru*-
peds into whole-hoofed, cloven-fciotcd, and
digitated, and he allows, that the hog is of an
inmbiguous fpecies ; but the only reafon he gives
is, that in Illyria, and Tome other places there
are hogs with whole hoofs* This animal is
. alio a kind of exception to the two generd
Tules of nature, . namely, that the larger the
animals the le& , young they produce, and that
. digitated animals are the moft prolific. The
hog, though far above the middling fize pro- .
duces more than any other quadruped. By
this fertility,, as well as by the formation of
.the ovary of the female, it even feems to form
,the extremity of the viviparous fpecies, and to
.approach the oviparous* In fhorty the hog
feems to be of an equivocal nature, or rather
appears fp to thofe who conOder the hypo-
thetical order of their ideas conilitutes the
.common order of Nature^ and who only per-
ceive, in the infinite chain of beings, fome ap*-
parent points to which thejr would refer every
natjural occurrence.

It is. not by circuhifcribing the fphere of N^

ture that we ^an become perfe<Sly acquainted

.with her : we cannot juilge of her. bjf making

,ber acSl with eur particular view§ 'y nor is it by

• afchbing our ideas to her author that we can

Bb 5 . penetrate

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penetrate . mtb his defigns. Inftead of eon*
fining and limiting the powers of Nature wc
ihould extend them to immenfity; we ought
to look on nothing as tmpoffible^ but th^
every thing which maf be, really has exiftence.
Ambiguous fpecies, and irregular produftions,
would then ceafe tXTfufprik-^ and appear equally
as neceflary as others in the infinite order of
things ; they fill up the iiitervals, form die
immediate points, and mark the extremities of
the chain. Thefe beings prefent die human
underftandiAg : curious examples, where Na-
tune, appearing to ad: iefs conformable to her-
felf) makes a. greater di^lay of her pow6rs>
and enables us to (race -fingulajr chara£lers>
which indicate that her defigns are more ge-
neral than our confined riews, and that if (he
does nothing in vain, neither is flife regulated
by the defigns we attribute to hen

Should we not refle£l on this fingular con-
formation of the hog ? He appears not to
have been formed .on an original and perfeflt
plan, fince he is compofed of parts peculiar to
other animals, and has evidendy parts of which
he makes no ufe, particularly the t6es abpvc
defcribed, notwithftanding the bones arc peiT-
fedtly formed. Nature is for from being in-
fluenced by final caufes in the conformation of

beings i

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NATUlt At ins^TORr. «ffj

teingj; why, then, may Qie not {bmetimek
give redundant party, fincc fhe (b often whte-
iiolds thofe whieh^ are eflentfal? How many
'animals are deficient both in fenfes and tncm-
•1>cirs? Whyfhould we fuppbfe, that in each
individual every part is ufeful to the others, and
neceflary to the whole I I?i it not fufficient
that they are found together, that they are not
hurtful, can grow without hindrance, and urt-
fbld without obliterating each other? All
things^ which are not hoftile "enough to deftroy
^ach other certainly can fubfift together ; anrf
perhaps there are, in moft beings, fewer re-
lative, ufeful, or neceflary parts, than thofe
^ which are iiidifFerent, ufekfs, of fuperabundantf;.
but as we would always bring things to ^
certain end when parts have no apparent ufei,
we either fuppofe they have hidden orfes, or inv
vent relations which have no foundation, and
only ferve to lead us into erroirs. We do -not
confider that we alter the - philofophyj and
change the fenfe of the objefl:^ when inftead of
enquiring how Nature afts we endeavour to
divine the end and caufe of her aSing. This
•general prejudice, which is too frequently
adopted, ferves only to blind our ignorance,
and is both ufelefs and oppofite to the 'eni-
quiry after, and difcovery of, the cfkih of Ni-

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flt84 BVFFON*»

ture. Without quitting ourfubjefl .we can
,give fome examples, where the intentions we (b
• vainly afcribe to Nature are evidently con-
tradicted. It is (aid the phalanges are formed
merely to produce fingers or toes, yet in the
hog they are ufelef^, fince they do not form
toes which the animal Can make any advantage
of 9 and in cl6ven*footed animals there are fmall
bones which do not form phalanges. If then
it was the defign of Nature to produce toes it
is evident that in the bog fhe has not more
than half executed her purpofe>. and in the
others fhe has fcarcely began it.

The allantois is a membrane which 'is found
^with the foetus of die fow, mare, cow, and
many other animals. This membrane- adheres
to the bladder, and is faid to be placed .thece
.for the purpofc of receiving the urine of the
fcetus while it is in the bdly of the mother ;
and at the inftant of birth an inconfiderable
quantity of liquor is foupd in the allantois ^ in
the cow, where perhaps it is, moil abundant, it
never amounts to more than a few pines ^ and
the extent of the .membrane is fo great, there is
not any proportion between that and the liquor.
This membrane, when filled with air, forms
.a kind of double packet, in the fbape of a
.crefcent, thirteen or fourteen feet lQng> and from

V nine

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NATURAL HISTORY* 285

nine to twelve inches broad. Csiii it require a
veiTel capable of containing feveral cubic feet
to receive three or four pints of water ? Thf
bladder of the foetus, if not pierced at the
bottom, would fuiHce to contain this liquor, as
it does in mankind, and thofe animals wherft
the allantois has not been difcovered; it is,,
therefore, plain this membrarte is not defigned
to receive Ae iirine of the foetus^ nor for any^
^rpofe we are capable of imagining, for ii it
i/vas to be filled it woidd fonn a bulk as hrgt
tw (h^body in which it wa& contained; befldes^
«B it burfts at the moment of birth, and is
Aiovn away widi the other membranes w^ici^
enyelope .the fetus^ k i« <3eftauily as ufeleft
Aea as it was before; ^ ' ^ ^

" The 'number of teats, it has been {aitf, iit
every ^)ecies of animals, correfponds with= the
number of young which the female can pro-^
duce and fuckle. Why then has &e male^
which never produces^ u(iially the iame num«*
ber of teats as the female? and why fhould the
fow, which fixnetimes produces eighteen ot
twenty pigs, never have more than twelve teats>
and fometimes lefs ? Does not this prove tiiat
it is not by final caufes that we can judge d
the works of Nature, and that we oug^t not
to deterioine but by examiiiing how &s^ ^h

and

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286 buffon's

and by employing the phyfical reafohs which
prefent themfelves in the imhienfe variety of her
produ£tions. Allowing that this method, which
is the only one .that can condu(^ us to real
knowledge, is more difficult than the other,
and that there are an infinity of fadks in Na-
ture, which, like the preceding, cannot be ap-
plied with fuccefs, inftead of fearching for the
•UiC of this great capacity in the sdlantots, we
ojght to enquire into thofc phyfical relations
which may indicai^ the origin of its prodac->
tion; by obferving, for example, that in ani«>
mals, whofe ftomachs and inteftines are, not
very large, the allantois is either very fmall or-
does not exift, and that confequently die pro-
dudion of this membrane has fome connexion
with the fize of the inteftines, &c. By con-
fidering, in the fame manner, that the number
pf teats is not equal to thoie of the young,
admitting only that the moft. prolific animals
baye the greateft number of teats, we may
conceive that ^ this numerous production de-
pends on the conformation of the interior parts*
of generation, and the teats being alfo the ex-
ternal de|)endencies of the fame parts, there is
between the number ^jid arrangement of thofe.
parts and that of the paps a phyiical relation^
which we ihould endeavour to invefttgate.

But

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l^ATURAL HISTORY, 287

But I only here endeavour to point out the
right path, without cntcKng into a difcufSon ;
yet 1 mtift obferve, that numerous produfftions
depend more upon the internal conftruftion of
the parts of generation than any other caufe.
It certainly does not depend upon the quantity
of femen emitted, otherwife the horfe, flag,
ram, and goat^ would be more prolific than the
dog, cat, and other animals, who produce a gr^at
number of young, though they hare but very
little in proportion to their iize; neither does
the number of young depend upon tlie fre-
quency of coition, for once coupling of the
hog and the dog is fufficient to produce a great
many young ; the length of time occupied in
the cmiffion has no effeft in this refpeft, for
the dog remains long only becauie he is re*
tained^ by an obftacle in the conformation of
the parts; and though the boar has not this
*obftacIe yet remains longer coupled than mod
animals, no conclufions can be drawn from that
in favour of the numerous produ£tions of the
/0W9 fmce a cock requires not more than an
inftant to fecundate all the eggs an hen will
produce in a months I fhall have occafion to
unfold the ideas I have accumulated, with a
view to prove that pne fimple probability, or
doubti when founded on phyfical relations, pro-
duces

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^88 buffon's

duces more light and advantages than all the,
^al caufes put together.

To the Singularities already related we ibali
«dd feme others. The fat of the hog differs
from that of almoft every other quadruped^
not only in its confifience and quality. But its
pofition in the body of the animal. The fat
of man, and thofe animals which have no fuet)
fuch, as the dog, horfe, &c. is pretty equally
mixed with the fle(h^ the fuet c^ the Ikeepi
gos(t, deer, &c« is found only at the extreniitie$
of the flelh; but the fat of the hog is neither
«nixed with the flefh nor colle^ed at its ex^
tremities, but carers Jtlte animal all over, and
forms a thick, diftin£i, and continued layer be-
tween the Sefh and the ikiiu This peculiarity
alfo attends the whale, and other cetaceous
Animals. A ftill greater fingularity is, that the
hog i)cven Iheds any of his cutting teeth, like
man, the horfe, ox, (beep, &c. but they C(»i*-
tinue to. grow during lifc. ]He has fix cutting
teeth in the under jaw, and a correfpondlng
number in the.ugper, but, by an irregularity,
x>f which there is not another examj^ in Na*
'tiire, the bottom onei arc c£ a very dtifferent
'form from the upper, for inftead of being
incifive and fliarp the latter are langy cyim-
drical, blunt at the points, and fomi ao angie

almoft

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NATURAL HISTOIIY, fe'S^

WIniott even witH die upper jaw, (o that their
crxtremitJes apply to each other very obliquely.
It is only the hog, and twa or three other
l|)ecies- of animals, which have the canine^
teeth very long ; they differ from other teetk
hy coming out df the mouth, and growing
during their whole lives. In the elephant, and
-fea-cow, they are cylindrical, and fom^ feet in
length J in die Wild boar, and male hog, they
are* pardy bent in -the form of a circle, and t
have feen them fronri- nine to ten inches long ;
they are deep in die focket, and, "like thofe of
the elephant^ have a cavity at the fupcrior ex-*
tremity; but the elephant and fea^ow have
thefe tufks only in the. upper jaw, and are with-
-but canine teeth in the under ; while the male
hog, and wild boar, have them in both jawsj
and thole nf the under are the moft ufeful td
the animal ; they are aKb'the moft dangerous^
-as it is with the lower tufks the wild boa#
■wounds thofc he attacks, .

The fow, wild fow, and the hog which it
cut, have thefe canine teeth in the under jawv
tut they do not grow like thofe of the boar,
and fcarceJy appear out of the moodi. Befide
Jthefe fixtclen teedi," that is^ twelve incifive and
Jour canine^ they hare twenty-eight grinders,
vhtch make- ibrty*fouf in the whole. The
VOL. v^ C c wild

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ago BUFFON*S

wild boar, (fig, 19.) has die tufks larger, tbe
(hout ftronger, and the head longer than the
dosneftic hogj {fig. 28.) his feet are always
larger, his toes more feparated, and his briftles
always black.

Of all quadrupeds the hogs appears die moft
rough and brutal, and the imperfe£tions of his
oiake feem to influencehis nature ; all his ways
are uncouth, all his appetites unclean, alf his
fsnfations are confined to [a furious luft and
brutal gluttony ; he devours, without diftinc*
tion, every thing that conies in his way, even
his own young foon after their birth* His vo»
racioufnefe feems to proceed from the continual
wants of his ftomach, which Js immoderately
large; and the coarfenefe of iiis appetite is, pro-
bably owing to the dulnefs of his fenfes, both
as to tafte and feeling. The roughnefi of the
hair, hardnefs of the flcin, and'thicknefs of the
fat, render tbefe animals infe^ifible to blows.
Mice have been known to lodge on their backs, ^
and to eat their fkin and fat without their bxxDr
ing fenfiblc of it Their other fenfes are good
and it is weir known to huntfinen, that wild
boars hear and fmell at a great diftance^ fince
in order to f\irprife him they are obliged to
watch in fdence during the nighty and to place
themfelvcs oppoiite tp the wind, to prevent his

having

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liM^^ fy i.SM*^ff,rd,? //. i/pz.

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•;^;u<^

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NATURAL HfSTORY 29I

having notice of them by the finell which in*
variably makes theni change their road.

The imperfedions in the fenfes of tafte and
feeling is ftill more augmented by a leprous
difeafe which renders him almoft abfolutely in-
fenfible. This diforder proceeds perhaps left
from die texture of the fkin and flelh of this
animal than from his natural filth, and the cor-
ruption which muft refult from the putrid food
which he frequently-devours f for the wild boar /
who ufually lives upon corn, fruits, acorns, and
roots, is not fubjedl to this diftemper, nor is
the pig while tt continiies to fuck. The dif^
order is only to be prevented in thedomeftic hog
by keeping him in a clean ftable and feeding
him with wholefome food : bis fiefli will become
excellent and his &t firm and brittle,, if he is
kept for a fortnight or three weeks before he
IS killed in a clean ftable, without litter, giving
him no other food than dry wheat, and letting
him drink but little ; for this purpofe a hog of
aboOt a year old and nearly fat fliould be fe«
leaed. '

The ufual 'method of fattening hpgs, is to
give them plenty of barley, acorns, cabbages,
boiled peas, roots, and water mixed with bran.
In two months they are fat j their lard is thick
but neither firm nor whiter and their flefh)
C c 2 though

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4bough good,, is r^kther it»fi^<]». . They mxy h/s
fattened at a lef^ «xpence io woody ^countrte;^
'by. cdn^u^ng thetn into foTJC&s during autumiu
.vhen aQoniS) chdhutSy^ be^cb-maft^ muft quit
jhe'ir huflcs and fall from the tiiccs.^ They eat
:indikrim'm^tsiy.sdl wild fruits, and fatten in $i
Oiqr% time^ eipeciaiiy if a. little wariii wator
^xed with Vraa and peafe-meal i$ giveA ta
tbem every nigbt oi) their return hoq}ei this
drink makes tfaem fleep and augments their fat.
to fuch a degree that they are iboietiaies uiy
.able to Yfdik or> (carcelj p)ove.. They^Utep
much the quickeft in aMtuov), both on accoui^t
^f the plet)ty' pC food a^d faecaiif« -tbuey loj^
much Icfs by peripiratio|i i^an in the fi^aimep?
months

It is not.nec^ffarjf 'm fajtcnji^: tt^^ bog, t^
9rait, as witb Ptber jcattle^^ unfeil Ig^js- fuitt
grown,,. for .th9 old^r be is thie.mere diffcult ijt
js to fatten hii|)>;^4his ffefli dea-ijafesan goodf*
nefs .with age, Caflra^ion,. which &ould all
ways, precedft faftenings i$. u&ially perfonned
when they are fix months old, and either i^
^ring or autumn, ^ .botii bcsK Itfid cold are
injurous to the hfalii^g, of the wound, . Wbe^
this opeiatJbDQ is perforiiied mi ih» fpiifigr Acj
ftte generally fit for faUe&iog .the., folipwing
^tmnn^ ^Tbt^ continue ^rojg^g Mlfff^lPf

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V NATURAL HISTOXt. 293

five yeafsy and even to that period it is noe I-
inttedy 36 boars Ipept for propagation fometimes :
encreafe in (ize during the fiktfa^ and the wild •
boar is always larger In proportion to the num-
ber of his years: the life of which fometimes
extends to 25 or 30. According to Ariftbtle .
hogs live twenty years^ and both males and fe-
males are fertile till the iiftjeentb. They can^.
ceuple byfte age of htne^ or twelve months^
but it is better to keep them-ieparate until they
are eighteen months or two years, Thefows
have but few young at the (irff liuer, and thofe*
are generalljr weak, even when a year old ; (he
is at all times in feafon and folicits the male ; (he*
goes four nlonths after copulation, and litters at
the beginning of the fifth ; (he will .receive the
male almoft immediately after and confequently
bring forth, twice in the year.^ The wild fovr
has but one littev in the year, and as (he pen»
fe£Uy refembles the domefHc one in every other
vefpeft, this difference may arife botlvfirom hee
Bot having the (ame kind of nourishment^ and
being obliged to fiickleher young much longer.
In fifteen days pigs are fit ta kill; as many fe«*
Biales are unne^eflary, and as caftfated hoga
bring moft profit,, it is cuftomary not to leave
with the mother, aftef that period, more than
one or two females^. andfeven or. eightmales. .
Ccj Th?

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a diick bod/, radier ihort thaa long^ ^ lafge'

h«ad| fhort fnoui, Icmg ears^^imalifierf eyes, »

duck' neck, flat beHf^ broad thighs, fliciit thick

legs, and ftrdng Mack, bjri^es^ ^ Black hog»

ace always ' ftronger' than .white onGS^ The

£>w> fhauM' bsKre. a<. large .body, (pactDus bellyr

a&d.lar^'ilug%.aaAfenitt. attention ihsbuld be

jVfld tD! hertet^ of ximld* difpiditi%; After

CQocefition &e^&auidrhe taken from Ifie msiCjl

aa he will ibmetknes dti hec an in^iiry:. fher

ihottld be jdentifuliy ftd whenfEr Kttei^ atut

watched left fte- defeoy* h^f youn^? and then

naale muft titmUt carefulty kept aTnay, och«'

will devour the wbUe^of M^m^ It i^ eommonD

to let. the females' goi'wJtb the maks in- th«r

fpring, that iHey may litter sti the &immer, and^

that the pigs may .acquire fhength. hcfotef

wii^r^ u»]ej[§ WhM twb Ikters are reqctiredl

in the yeary then fee i$ put tt> the male* in.

November, smd^ain at tiEe beginning of May r.

feme of riiem will reguferlytpfodttcc every five

months*. The wiM fiiW generally goes with

thi rad^m^JmjOLVji, andrbiing^ forth in June^

to& fuckleS'jher yo4ng three-^rfimr' months^

and tkoy^ never £^rate fi^om'-lier before the]^

are. tw!o«or three' years okl> asidP-icis not uiw

ccnmaon tp fee^ ber ace^mpftnitd^kh^ two ot.

'- ^ ' -' three

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KATURAt HISTORY • T^f

fftree different litters at a time. Tke doliiefticr.

fow fe not permitted to fuckle her yourtg tWQ^

months; as early as A pee weeks they go wkliJ

de mother to the fields, by way of beingt

hftliituatdd to her mode of living, . and -fivet

weeks; afterwavds they are weaned^ when, for:

, firaie &^rt time they have a little milk, mtxedi

with bra{% given them morning and tventngji

Mog^ are pa^icularly fond of earth-worms, andi

K)ots, for the piirpofi^ of procuring which it is*

Aat'theytear u{> the ground. with thdr fnoiitsJi

The ;W4ld boar, tWho has a fh'-oiiger ihom thanr

the dofmeflic^' octet digs deeper,^ and nearly in a

fttaight linfe, while the latter docsit very irre->

gularly.

The wild boars do not feparate from theiF

moth^s until the third year, and. to which »ge

they are called by hunters ftock-beafts, front

diat circumftance. They never go alone until

Aey are ftrong enough to encounter the wolf;

When they hav« young they -form theinfelves

into flocks, aod if attacked the- largeil and

• ftpongeft front the enemy, and by prelBng

Againi^ t^e weak onts^ keep thefn in. the micb*

die ; the domeftic- hogs foltew the fame method^

und ^xefiire require not to be -guarded with

dbgs* They 4re very untnuSbble, and 6nt

• cannot mgnage (n^Cvthanfifty of ^them at

^ a time.

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29^ buffonV

a time^ They procure a number of wiU
fruits in autumn and winter by being taken to :
the woods, as they do woi^ms and roots in .
moift lands ia fummer,^^ both of which* are good
for them; and they may be allowed to go*
into wafte and fallow lands during the fpring*
From March to Odober tbey are taken* out as>
toon as the dew is off ^he ground^ and kept to
feed to ten oclock ; at about two they are fuffered '
to go out again, and continue till the evening*
In the winter they are only let out when the
weather is fine, as dew, (how, and rain, are
very injurious to them. When a- heavy rain!
or ftorm coipes on^ it is not uncommon to (e&.
them defert the flock one after another, and
run and cry until they arrive at the ftable»door;
and it is the youngeft which cry the loudeft ^
this cry is dii&rent from their ofual gruntingt
and refembles that which they make when tied
up for flaughter. The male cries lefs than the
female; and the wild boar feldom cries but
when he is wounded in lighting w^th pother ^
the wild fow cries more often, and when fud-
denly furprifed will blow with fuch violence as
to be heard at a great diftance.

Although theie animals are gr^t .gluttons^
yet they do not attack or devour other animals;
ibmetime?) however, they eat corrupted fleOv

WUd

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.Wil(^ boars hsiire been feento eat hof fe-flefli)
and the fkin.of the deer^ and the ^laws of
birds h^vc been found. in their flomach; but
.thi$ isy perhaps> more fromneceifity than«ij>-
ftin£l» It canopt^ neverthele{s> be denied that
jthey are. very fond ofhlojpd, and of frcfli and
^ifk^&f^l^}W^^^yf'l^:m. theijr pwn youiig,
and even children in the cradle. Whenever
|hfy» f|Q4.«nyj (Wng. fuqCuli^iH ^ humid .they
fitft Uck ai>cl .tJio(^ :fwalk)jiy jf^ Jt Jjs ooiflmon
for a whole hei^d !of thefe anin}als tp flop
ground a h<s^ of n^w-^v% t}ay, ^ though it
#s b«K.K^ liAtl^ 5luai4qii$;tfMJy yriil all lipl^Jfc
fnfii^ fpmjs^^pl ii^§^ (Wallovv^ ^r^at qi^nti^ie^

; :Tfaf^r.gl^tQQiXiB^^ £ro& ^s their n»tu^«^ is
jH'ut^.:. jthfjy /have fcarcely any diftin<£l &ntir
#ne|ttsi.-^^ youQg, op^g,^har5Uy know their
m^tbenb ^or, they are v^ry apt to mift^ke hei^
j^nd to fu<:k ^q ^fit fow that will pernut thenv
f^ aQd pQ(;e^ty feem to give more* iiiftin£k
fLod fef^timei^t .to wild hogs, for die young ar^
piQr? attached tp their mother, who alio ap^
pi^rs more: attentive to them than does the do^
meftic Q>y/, In the rutting feafon the niale
fqllows.the.femalejt and geperaUy.;ftays abou^
9 month with, her in the thickeft and mof^
^iita^y part^ pf the foreft : he if i then m(Xf
fierce than ^er^ and becomes perfe^tiy furioul

^ 'if

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if another male endeavours to occupy his place;
in that cafe they fight^ wound, and fometime$
kill each other. The wild fow is never furious
but whien her young is in danger 5 and it may
be remarked in general, that in almoft all wild
animals the males are more ferocious in the
xiltting feafbn, and the females when they have
young.

The wild boar is hunted by dogs, or takett
by furprife in die nigi^t, by the light ef the
moon. As he flies flowly, leaves a ftrong odour
behind him, defends himfelf agaibft the dogs>
and wounds them dai^foufiy, he ibould not
he bunted by dogs' dcffigned fbt thb^ ftag, &c. as
it will ^il their (cent, and give' diem the habit
of moving flowly. Maftiffs will ^rve the
purpofc) and are eaftly trained to it. . . The
oldefl: only (hould be attacked^ and they are
eafily known by the tracks of their feet; a
young boar of three years old is difficult tp
take, becaufe he runs a great way without
Hopping; but the old boar does not run far,
fuiFers himfelf to be clofe hunted, and has no
great fear of the dogs. In the day he ufually
hides himfelf in the moft unfrequented part of
the wood, and comes out* in die night in queft
of food. In fummer it is very eafy to furprife
him, eipecially in die cultivated fields> where

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KATURAL HISTORr* 099

the grain is ripe, which he will frequent every
Bight« As Coon as he is killed the hunters cut
off his tefticles, for their odour is fo ftrong
that in five or fix hours the whole of his fleih
would beinfe£led. Of an old wild boar the
head only is good to eat, while every part of
the young one, of not more than one year old,
is extremely delicate. The flefli of. the do-
meftic boar is fttU worfe than that of the wild
one, and it is only by caftradon and fattening,
that they are rendered fit to eat The ancients
caftrated the young wild boars, which they
could get from their mothers, and then re-
turned them again into the woods, where they
foon gi-ew fat, and their fleih was much better '
than that of domeftic hogs.

No one who lives in the country is ignonint
of the profits arifing from the hog; his flefli
fells for more than that of the ox, and his lard
fof nearly double; the blood) inteftines, feet^
and tongue, are all prepared and ufed as food*
The dung of the hog is colder than that of
other animals, and flipuld not be ufed for any
but hot and dry lands. The fat of the in«
tefl:ines and web^ which differs from the com*
mon lard, is employed for greafing wheels, and
many other purpofes» Sieves are 'made of the

{kiriy

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ikin, anci brulhes arid pencil-lmifces are mad^
of -the hair and briftles. The flefh of thiy
ammal- takes^ felt better, and will keep longer'
than that of any other.

This fpecies, though very abundant, and
gready^lpread over Europe, Afia, and Africa,
were not found on the new continent till
they were thmlported thither by the Spaniards,*
and who dfo took brge black hogs to almoflf
a31 the ifiands of America. - They have be-
come wild, and' multiplied greatly in many
places: they refemble our wild' boars, an<f
their bodies aredhorter, their heads larger, an*
Aeir flcins thicker, than the domeftic hogs,'
which in warm climates are all bFack, like die
wild boar.

- By one of thofe prejudices which fuper-
ftition alone could produce and fuppor^ At
M^ometans are deprived of this animal ; hav-
ing been told bogs are unclean they do not
either touch or feed on them. The Chfne(e)
on the contrary, are very fond of their flelh ;
they raife numerous herds of them, and pork
is their principal food ; and this circumftancc
is faid to have prevented them from receiving
the law of Mahomet. The hogs of Ghiiia,
-Siam, and India, 4ffer_from thofe of Europe;
i ^ - they

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NATURAL HISTORY* gOf

' tfccy are fcnalter, have ihorter legs, and their
flelh id^much more white and delicate. Some
of them have been reared in France, and they
will intermix and produce with the common
hogs* > The Negroes raife great numbers of
hogs, aqd thoug^i tiiere are but few among the
Moors, or in the countries inhabited by the .
Mahometans, yet wild boars are as plenty in
Africa and in Aiia as in Europe.

Thus thefc animals are not confined to any
j)articalar climates ; it is only obfervable, that
$iks bo^, by becoining domcftic, degenerates
;mon? in cdd than in .warm -climaites. A degree )
of tempQfifture i» ittfficient to change tiicir
frolour. iiogs .are obnamonly white ^ in the
siordiem pants of Fr^ance, as they are' in
Vivafais, whik ta. Diatq)hiny, which is not far
4tft»it, diey are sdi black ; thofe of Languedoc,
Provence, Spain, Italy, {ndia^ China, and
Amjsrtca, are .alfe of tbe fatne oajour. The
hog of 8ia«i has a gr efdber refemblance to the
^omefttc hog than to the wild boar« One of
Ihe inoft evident marks of degeneration is fur*-
nilhed by the ears, which beocmies more ikpple
iand pendant as the aninftal chaitges into a do-
''flftdiic ftate ;, in. fliort, thle ears of the domeftic
hog are not ib flifi^ are mudi Jonger, and more
VM. V* P d pendant

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jJOl BUFFON^S

penclant than tfaofe of the wild boar, whtch
ought to be regarded as the model of the
ipetie^. '

THE DOG*

IT is neiAerthe^feirgen€6of toafce, dfegance
of form, ftrcngth of body, freedom of motions,
nor all the exterior qualities) whidi conflitute
the noblefl: properties in an animated being;
in mankind genius is preferred to figure,x:ourage
to ftrength, and fentiment to beaUty; fo we
confider ithe interior qualities in an afriimal as
the moftrcftimaWe; for it is by thofehe dhfilrs
from the automaton, cifes above the vegetable
fpecies, and approaches nearer to 4tian. ' It is
ientimeht which ennobles, regulate^, and en-
livens his 'being, which gives aSlivigr to all his
organs^ and birth to defire and motion. The
perfeflion df an animal defjehds, then^ upon
fentiment alone, and the more this is extended
die more are his faculties and refources aug^^
jnented, and the greater are his relations with

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NATyRAL HrSTORV. 30J,

the reft of the uni^erfe. When th« fentiment
i& delicate, and improved by^inftru£tion, the
animal becomes worthy to affociate with man ;
be knows how to concur with his Uefigns, to
watch fori his fafety, to defendv and to flatter
him with careffes; by,Tepeated performances
of thefe fcirvices he conciliates the afFecSlion of
his mafter, and froth his tyrant makes him his*
proteiElorr

The dog,, independent of bis beauty, ftrengtby

vivacity, and nimblenefs,^. has all the interior

•cpialities which can attrad the reg^d of man.

A paffionate and ferocious temper make$ the

wild dog dreaded by taoik animal%. as much as

the paeigc difpbficion of the dom^ftic dog

senders hiiiei si^cQ^hle;. to his maftci:.. he.. flies

with daciity, and fubmiiSvely lays at .bis f^C

all his courage, ftrcng^h, .ax?d taJi^nts i ^hejeems^

to confiik,. interrogate, and iuf^licate for orders^

wbtch^ he is Iblicitous to ^aeecute ^ a glance ot

the eye iS iiifficient, . for he^ underftands the

finaUeft'iigns of his .will.. Without having.

like many the faculty of thought, he^ all the

ardour of: fentiment, with fidelity and - con^

ftancy in his afib&ions;. neither ambition,an-r

tereft, nor defirex)£ revenge, can corrupt him,.

and he hks no fear but that of difpleafing^ he

is all zealy warq^th, arid > obediener^ more jiii^

Dd 2 clined

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dined (o.nemeaftber b^iefk^ than injuries r bir
ibon forgets ilUufage^ ^or at leaft only recoU
ItQs it. to ma^e his attachmait dae ftronger*.
Ifiilead of in-katdng or mosiing away, he ex*
po£bs hisifdf lo the feverity of his mafter, and
licks the hand ivfaicb caufes. his pain ^ he only-
oppofes by his cries, and in the end (iibdues by
patience ami fidimiffion.

More docile and traftaUe than axt^ other
acumal), tiie dog is not oniy.inftrudled }n a very
ftoct time ibot he: even amibrms himldf tof
the jnarnites^ znotiBns, and habksy of liiefe ynbm
comntand hiu^ He-affixnes all t)ac modes d^
the bxxaiy ia^:which Jie lives; like the other
4oniefties he: is hau^^ wiih: thereat aiwk
Mftic wkh .the peafimt.' - AbMqrs inentive «►
his^nntftelv mi^ defir^^ <»f pktffing klft^endsi
ke tfr totjiBy indifferenfi'^ ^raitgersyr abd op^
yofts begg;a«t,njriiOBi be knows by tbtir di^,
taicc^'ind geAioreiy and. |faeveal8 liieir ap»
proaoBu : When the Gare.ttf.a huiSt Is eoai<«
mittedr to >him 4iirixig the. night he bBcamei
mcre4)aM^ andfemetimes pcr&^yierociotis ;
he igrafidiesy goes« his rounds^ foents finugera
at a UStMOcoy mdisS Aktj ftop^ or attonpt to
'break in,, he flies ;to cxppcife AeA^ and by re^
iterated barkings^ and other efforts of paffioni^
he giyfisr the siuM to .die laoaiilj^ He is equalljg
J furioua

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NATUHAt HISTORY. 305^

lurtous againft thieves asrapadotrs ahitnals ; he
attacks, wounds, and- forces from ttiem what-
they were cndea-vouring to take away; but
contented with having conquered, he will lie
down upon the fpoil, nor even touch it to fa-
tisfy.his api^tite ; giving at once an example of
cowage, temperance, and fidelity.

To determine of the importance of this fpe-
ctes in the order of Nature, let us fuppofe it
never had cxifted* Without the. aflliftance of
the dog how could man have been able to tame
and reduce other animals into flavery? How
could he di&over, hunt, and deftroy noxious
and &vage beafts i To preferve his own fafety, ,
and to render himielf inafter of the animated
worldr'it-.Wis neoeflfary to make friends among
thoie aiiimals whom h&fbund capable of attach*
.n^nttooppoiethemtoothers, therefore the train*
ii^of dogsfeems to have been the firft art invent- -
ed by many and the fruit of that aft was the
conqueft and peaceable pofTeffion of the earth.

Almoft all aninuls .have4nore agility,^-fwifo
nefs,. ftrength, apd evem courage than man«
I^ature has fjurniihed.tbem-better^ their fenfes, ^
but above all that of fmdling, . is mor& perfe6l.
To have gained over a tractable and courageous
fpecies like the dog, was acquiring new fenfes
.and -feculties. - The inachines .and>^ inftrumenis
D-d 3^ W-hich^

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which we hare invented to^mpro^'e or €9ieefWI
our other (evics^ do not come msuTj. for utiiity^
thole nature has pntiemed to Vis r which by fop-^
I^yrng the def?6ls of our ftneUkigy^ have furniih*'
ed us whb the ^eat and permanem means of
eonqueft and domkikm. The dc^^ fiiiyui tO»
naan, will always prefemse a portion of his ein<«^
ptre, aiid'ft degree of fiiperion^ over other ani-
m'Ah ; be reigni at the hsadv o£ a Sock, amd
makes himfeif better onderftooddian^^ vokrt ^
«£ the fhej^ri^fbt^^or^yvand 'difcipiixie are
tile fruits of his>vigitsuioe:)aiid aiiSi>fit^; they. are
a. people Aibmitted to his numageix^nt, . i^iiom
becondbfb and (zroteds, and tigaiiift whom he
never emi^s forcb,.. but &r the prafervs^ofi
of peaee aoi' good dnder^ Bat iprwar againit
his en^mtea^ 'Or wild antmate^ J»s couiage ftines
ibrthf his tioderfian^ing:: is .di^ayec^. and bh
jiatural. and acquired tdorits are-Biited.' As
foon at he heai^a. tbe nQife*eri9Qi5y;as.foon as
the horn,^ or ^e hyntiaDaa^' i^oo gbrea ;tho
alarm, fiHedvith a .new anber the dog ex-
4preffea jihis joy hf the moft luir^ txsulfpcrti,
suidibows. by^bis.emotjpn.atid^^ his im-
patiffiee for. -combat iu»it Ms dcAre >to conquer*
Sometiioes fae natives: along" widi <»nioous
filence to ctifcovrr and furprife his. en^my; a^
#diers he tsaces the anknal ilep-^y ftep^ and

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fey ififereat tones iodicatts tbe difbhce, fpe-^
ties, and evm age of wiHtfaeis inpariuit o^
Fufhedy inCiimdated, and de^ring of fafliej m*
fii^t alone^ animals make ufe of all their fa«-
eulties and oppde craft to fagacft^r. la na in^
fiance are 'the refonrces of inMuSk mom- admi^
laUe ; in drder to make it difi^t for ^ dog ^
ID trace him, die animaf dooiUas,* goes over its
ewn fteps agnn,- by a iingJe .fpring will ckaT
a* hedge or btghway^.^and fwinis over brooks and
riyjers.; but being- MI parfoed and unable to
annthil^Uie him&l^ he endeavours to put anedier
m hii place ; for diis he &As ^an unexperienced
ineigU»oar,< With iwdiomheJce^ps dbife'until (he'
^ppofes. their fteps are Efficiently intermiifed
aocolilbiiiidtfae,fce8tofhiSv^i^heii he foddeiw
dy hv/ms Urn to lieconie a vi£Hmtto4iifrdeceive(i
eikrmy*. flue the dog^by the^perjority Wbi<;h
^cxercife^d education ha^e given hins glid by
die opcetlence <if his fatfatimsi does nst i^
;llie ofajeA of bis ^uMtmH}. by Jiis-fcent he 'finds
-mit fldltbe ^wisidings^ofilbe ia^rrimh,. afl'the
bik means adoptiedixiimake bim, go aftray ; mi
far fn)m«abando]»ng tbeoittlbe-iiiasai^piirfui^
. of foot aacid»f> he xedoubles hia ar^kur, at
ienglfa Qvertakes^^/attadcs, and puts him' tb
death ; thus dreivchti^ in his blood both hia

•teredindroven^ge^ .. 4-

The

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3©^ BUrFONV

Tber inclinatlon'for Uiintingor war znSansii
fo&& in conunon with .us. Maoy- in a favago
fiat6> knows only how. to fight and to hunt. 'All
oaroivorous animals, which have: ftrength and
weapons. huQtl natoraUjr*. :Tfae iio&and. tha
tigefj whofeil:rengthis..fo\great~ diat they are
iure to conqUer> hunt aloney^and without, art^
Wolves^ foxesy »id:^i dogsi huntin-packs^
uSBA each other and diidde A&prey, and when
education in the domeftic dog has Improved
this natural taletit^>whea he is taught to xeprefs
his* ardour and t(>jregulit^ehis motions, he hunts
wi& Mk and knowledge^ > and, always with &ic*
ce(s.w In deferts ,and depopulated countries^,
there ar^iwild dogs which differ ixx their marw
ners froiu wolves, in. no oafe but ia the faipility
with which they- are taoied*. They unite in
lar^e .tropps^ to hiiat,^ and will- attack wild
boars, bulls,, and even lions and tigers». In
America the wild dogs fpiing from a domeftic
race ai»d wereotrai^fportedxhithGr from £urc^&i .
fom&.:Of lh<W having been forgotten or abanr
donedJA thofe^deierts,., have..mLdtiplied in fiich
a degree ^ that. they. go. in : troops to inhabit
. placcsy.where they. attack: the cattle^and will
fometimes event iofuk the inhabitants,, who ace
obliged to drive, them away by force and kill
them like other ferocious animaK..J2Qgs how-

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NATURAL HMTORY. , ^

ever continue in this ftate only while fliey re-^
' main unacquainted with man, for if we ap««
proach wild ones with getptknefs, they tooO^
grow pmCy become f^snitj^-, and reniab (aith«
fully attached to their maftorCi ; but die wolf
diou{^ taJcen young and brought up in th^^
hoafe, is only gentle in his yootb, never lofes,
bis tafte for prey^ and iboneir or laxef givea
hitafelf jip to his fixndoefc for mpine and de««
KlicnftioO)

.Thedog.iniqr^e (aid :td ibe die ^y aninnt
wbole fidelity wittftaod tfaje^jpro^i who almy%
lumms his mafter^ and.ereii his mafter'a
feiends } who'points oijic a ftr&Bger as ifben as Ito
Graves I who underflands his own n«ix>e| . ami
knows* die moss of the domefticsr who bat
MK cMfldence in himTellf alone ; :whb,t#bflb ho
has ]i6ftjki» tnafitx, will eoN Bpotrfaiift by hie
cries-andkunentatioVisi whift in ksagjowracpp
and ^kklie^may have trsifcW&i butonc^ will
remWDber his wigt, and iftktbut the "roadir;. ttt
fine, (he A)g is ^the ctnly aiaiin^l wtidfe talents
atte etfridtnt, and whoTe edocatbn is ialways fkci
cef^k Of ^ miianals lue is alfe the inoft
ifufceptibie of .ffii{»*cffi6i^s^ moft eafdy modified
by nioiral caufes, and mo# hhjfeGt to ilferatibrta
caufed by phylicai itifiuences. Ttte t^oiperaiu
inen^ fiicultiesj iand babks of l&is body vai^

prodigioufly^

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prodigioufly, and even his form is not uniforms
In the fame country one dog is very different
from anqther) and the fpectes feems quite
changed in different climates j. from thence
fpring the mixture and vSsiriety of races whidv
are fo great that it is impoffible to enumerate or
defcribe them. From the fame caufes arife that
great variety fo viable in the height, figurcr
kngtk ef the, fnout, form -of the -head^ length
and diPQ^Uon of the ears and tail, goIqw^. qua^
Kty a»d'€|[uaiitity of baifi Afcfo-thac there
ftems 19 remaiB nojtkifigrcoiiffant, in ^thefeani*
mals but the confimnicy-of rtheiriiaternalargaff
iiization, and the faculty, 'ofprocr/QaltH^tqg^
ther.tAnd as thofe which dilfer'HiiQftit^Mk
•ach otheroan intexmix^aod pr4>d4ic^/ei^-ii;M^
dividu^lsy^it is evident that dog$i|.. Jiowev^t
^gcieatly $i^ may vary9<neyer^^..(;9i#itute
but one fpecies^ But what is m9& 4i%|uU to
afcertainin this iiumerousi vari^HQ^-lf^^is
the chara£ler. of the prismtiv^^ock, <,Hp]^ are
we.tpdiftirjgui^h.^he qffe4ls,iprod*fced-by th<e
iafluencq of Xhei^limatej^.fpotl^ &q, ?..,HQ5V.dif«f
cover the changes .which havp ielultfid from au -
intfitmi^ture . an;on& tbemfclvcsv cither, in. a
.wiW,Qridomcfticj(late? all,tl3y5fe caijfeSy.wiU,
in time,, al^ter tlie moft permanent fprms> and
•the. image of Q^tui:Q.dfic$ not p](eferve.i£s purity

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NATURAL HISTORY. 3tl

in thpfe obje£ts of which mankind have had the
management. Thofc animals which arc inde-
pendent aijtd can chufe for themfelves both their
food and climate^ arc thofe which beft preferve
their original impreffions, and we may believe
the moft ancient of ihtir fpecies are the moft
faithfully reprcfented by their defcendants. Bat
thofe whfch mankind have fobdued, tranfported
from climate to climate, whofe food, cuftoins,
and manners of living he has changed, may
jsHh be thofe whidi have changed moft ift their
forms; and it is a h& that there are more
irarieties among domeftic than wild animals;
aiid as among domeftic animals the dog is moft
attached to man, lives alfo the moft irregularly,
andwhopoffefles fentiments to render him do-
cile, obedient, fufceptible of ail; impr^ffion^j
and fubmiffive to all reftraints, it Is not aftonifh-
tng that he fliould be that in which we find the
, greateft variety not only in figure, height, 8(nd
colour, but in every other quality.

There are alfo other circiimftiances 'which
contribute to this change. The life of the
dog is fhort, his produce is frequent, and iti
pretty large numbers; he is perpetually be-
neath the eye of man, and whenever, by chance
or accident, which is not uncommon in na-
ture, thcr« may have appeared any individual

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I

pofieffing -fihgvlar charaScrs, or aj^arent ya-f

rietics, they hSwre been perpetuated by unitmg
together thoie indivi<iua]s, and not permitting
them to intermix with any others; as is done
in the prc&nt time, when we want to procure
a new .-breed of dogs, or ddie/ animafe. B^
Ades, diou^ ail die Ipecies were equally an«
cient yet the number of geqefatixms being na
ceflkrily the greateft iir^hofe whofe Jives are
fliort, their Varieties, dianges, and even de-
generations, moil: have become more fenftble,
fined tfaey muft bei&rth^ removed from dieir
origtttal ftocir tfaaui thofe whofe lives arc
longer* Man i< at prefent ^ight. times nearer
ro Adam than is the dog to the firft of his
race^ b«esidb man Hvesto fooHcore years, and
the dog t6 not'more dian^ test. I^ therefore,
ftom att]^ caufe thefef two ipecies ei^ualiy de^
generate, the idteradcm would be etgbt times
more conlpicitous in the dog thian in man^
"Thofe whole. lives are & fltort Aattthey are fiic«
, ceeded every year by a new generation, are in-
finitely morefulleft.to variations of every kind
dian thofe wkich 6ave longer lives. It is the
fame with annual plaals (feme of which may be
laid to be actificyi or fadiadous), when com*
pared with other vegctahkSi Wheat, for ex-
ample, J»s bee& £> jgneacly chained bf me«

that

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NATURAL HISTORY. ^ SX%

^at it IS not at prefent to be any where found
in a ftate of nature. It certainly has fome rc-
fcmblance to- darnel, ; dog-grafs, and feveral
•dther herbs of the field, but we are ignorant to
'V^hich its origin ought to Be referred j and as
it is renewed every year, ^ and ferves for tht^
Common food of man, fo it has expeHended
more cultivation than any other plant, and
•confequently undergone a greater variety of
<*hanges. Man can, therefore, not only make-
^very individud in the univerfe ufeful to his^
wants, but, with the aid of time, change,
modify, and ittiprove their ipecies ; -and this is
the greateft power he has over Nature. Tp
have transformed a barpeti herb into wheat is
a kind of creation, on which, however, he hjL&
no reafon to pride himfelf^ lince it is only by
the fweat of his brow, and reiterated culture,
^at he is enabled to obtain from the bofom o(
the earth this, ^d ibmetimes bitter, fubfiftence.
Thus tliofe fpecics, as well among vegetables
as animals, which have been the moft cul-
tivated by man, are thofe which have under-
gone the greateft changes; and as we are
fometimes, as in tlies example of the wheat^
finable to know their primitive form, it is not
impoffible that among the numerous; varietici
cf dogs which exift at prefent there may not
VOL. Y% E e be

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314 BUFFON*S

be one like the firft animal of this /pedes, al-
though the whole of thefe. breeds from hiiu
muft virtuajly have proceeded. Nature, not-
withftanding, never faijs to refume her
rights when left at liberty to a£l. Wheat, if
fown in uncultivated land, Regenerates the firft
year ^. if that is likewife fown it will be more
degenerated m the.fecpnd generation, and if
continued for a fu4:ceflio^ of ages the original
plant of |:he wheat woi^ld appear ; and, by an
experiment of this kind, it might be difcovered
how much time Nature requires to reinftate
herfelf, and deftroy the elFedts of art, ^ which
• r.eftrained her. This experiment might eafily
be "made on corn an3 pl^ts, but it would b9
in vain to ^ttempt it op animals,, becaufe they
would not only be di^icMlt to couple and unfte,
but even to p^anage, and to furmount that in-
vincible repugnance they have to every thing
which is contrary to their difpofitions or habits.
We need ^ot, therefore, expefl to find out, by
this method, whiph^ is the primitive race of
dogs, or any other animals, which are fubjed^
to permanent varieties. But in default of the
knowledge of thefe fa<3s, which cannot be ac*
quired, we may aflimilate particuluar indica-»
tions, and from thojie draw probable conjee-*
t^fes.

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NATURAL rflSTORY, 315

Thofe domeftic dogs which were abandoned
Jri the dcferts of America, and have livecTwild
for 150 or 200 years, though then changed
frorri their original breed, muff, notwithftand-
ing, in this long fpace of time, have approached,
at leaft in part, to their primitive form. Travel-
lers fay that they refemble our greyhounds, and
they fay the fame of the wild dogs at Congo,
which, like thpfe in America, affemble in packs
to make war with lions, tigers, &c. But
others, without comparing the wild dogs of
St. Domingo to greyhounds, only (ay that ,they
have long flat head^, thin mus^zles, a ferocious
air, and thin meagre bodies; that they are ex-
ceedingly fwift in the chace, hunt In perfection,
and are ^afily taken and tamed when young ;
thus thefe wild dogs are extremely thin and
light ; and as the common greyhound differs
but little from the curj or Irifh greyhound, or
from that which is Called the fliepherd's dog,
it is not improbable that thefe wild dogs are
rather of thofe fpecics than real greyhounds;
becaufe, on the other hand, more ancient travel-
lers have faid that the dogs of Canada have
ears eredl, and refcmbled our middle-fized
ihepherds dogs 5 that thofe of the Antille Ifles
had very long heads and ears^ and had very
much the appearance of foxes j that the Indians *
E e 2 of

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3'^ BUFFON^S

of Peru had only two kinds, a large and x
fmaH one, which they callad Alcd; that thofe
of the ifthmus of America were very ugly,,
and that their hair was rough and coarfe>
which likewi& ^ixnpiies. they bad earst ere£L
We cnmnot, th^elbre, have any doubt that the
original dogs of Americai before they had any
communication tvith thofe of Europe^ were all
of the fame r^e> an^ thajK. they approached
iiearfift to thofe dogs which, h^ve thin mu:^]es9
ere(5b e^rs^. and ><ioaj^ hair» lik/e thp il^epjierds.
dogs; and wl)kt leacik me Aether jtg brieve
that the wild Jogs of St. Domingo are not
rpal greyhounds is the latter beipgfo fparce irv
France* that they are brought ibr the king
from .Cohftantinoplq, and oth^r p^urtS: of the^
Levant) smd becaufe I m^^t l^newof any
X being hf ought from St^Domin^^o, ojt ^y of
"^ our American miomes^ Beftdes, in feafcbin|;
what travellers have faid of dog^ of diil^en^
colonies, we finsl that tfaie dogs, of cold climates
have long musx^les and ere6l ears ; that thoie
of Lapland are fmall, have ece^ ears> and
pointed muzziest that die Siberian> or wol£
dogs,, are bigger dian thofe of L^land, but
they alfo have ere^ 'ear5, coarfe hair, and (harp
muzzles, and that thofe of Iceland have a^
ilrong refembiance tp the Siberian dogs i and>

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NATUHAt ttlStORY. 317

* in the feme manner, the native dogs of the
■ Gape of Good Hope and other warm <:oun-

• tries, haVe fharp -maiTales,' ered ears, long
trailing tailsi'ldng hsttr, bttt-fcining. and'rottgh;

' that thl^ ddgs afe eieceltent imv guardmg of
flocks; 'Md fconfeqittently not t)rily refemble in
figure but evtnla ia&itiA rfurifhepherds^ dogs.
In difnat^$ Ml warmei-; fdich as vMadaga&ar,
•Madura, Galfcut^ and- Mtfabar, the^ native
dog^hiv* ill ftiarp ni'tkztks, ^re6t ears, and
in alm'oft ^v^ry pefpe^ refemblfe our fihephcrds
dogs; hay that even when tnaftiffe^ fpanicfe,
water *dogs,* btill^dogs, beagles, Wood4iounds,
&c. have been trartfported thither they dege-
nerated at the fecond or third^ generation.
In countries extremely hot^ like Guij^ea, the
diBgeneration is ftBl more quick, fince by the
end of three or four y^rs they lofe their voice, •
can no longer barfc^ but only make an hdwling
noife, ^nd their immediate offspring have ere£t
ears- like foxess The* native dogs of thefe
regions' arevery irglyv they have' iharp muz-
zles, -^Iddg ereft eav»^' a»id"iong:p(Jinted: toils;
they have no' hair &ti didr bodies^ their (kin
h uiixallyipoitted, diough fometunea it is of an
uniform colour ; in. (hort they are difagreeable
to the eye airdi ftill more to the touch*

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We Biay prdume, tiiereforey and with iomcr
degree of probability, that the fhepherd's dog:
is ihat which approaches nearcft to the pri-
mitive race, fince in all countries inhabited by
layages, or men half civilized, die dogs re«
femble this breed more than any other. On
the whole continent of the New world, they
had but diefe and no variety ; nor is there any
others to be found on the fouth and north eX"
tremities of our own continent ; and even in
France and other temperate dimates^^ they are
fiill very numerous, though greatear* attention
has been paid to multiplying^ and rearing the'
more beautiful, than the prefervatton of tbok
which are moft ufeful,- and which^ has been
totally abandoned to the peafants. who have the
care of our ilocks* It we alfo ooia&der that
this dog, iiotwitbftandtng his mgliners^ and his
wild and melancholy look,> is^ fiiU fiiperior in
inftiiK^ to all (Mhers, that he has a decided-
character : in« which education has no. fbare^*
that he is the only thing born perfafUy jtrained|B
that guided by natural powers aloncy he ap<«
plies himfelf to the care of our flocks, which
he executes v^ith flngular affidutty, vigilance^,
and fidelity, that, he conduiSb them with an^
admirable intelligence which has not beeif
communicated to him i that bis talents aftoniib

9i

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WATURAL H»TORY. Jtgf

-at thiefamc tune they give rcpofe to his mafter^
whilft it requires much time and trouble to
inftru£t other dogs for die purpofes to which
tiiey are deftinedf if we^vefledbofi^hefe fa<Sb».
we fliall be confirmed ia the opinion that the
fliepher<l's dog is; the true dog- of Nature; the
dog that has been beftowed upoa us for the
extent of his utility ;. that he. has * fuperior re-
lation to the general order of- animated heings
who h^ve mutual occafton for the affiftance of
each othffl:; andy. ia ihort, the one we ought
to look upon- as th^ flock and modd of the
whole fpecies.

The human fpedes af^ear clowi^fiib^ de^
formed and diminutive in the frozen climated
ef the North* In Lapland> Greenland,, and
in all countries where the cold is exceffive, we
find none but finall and ugly men ; h\^ in the
jieighbouring countries wheare the cold is lefs
intenfe, we all at once meet with the Fin.«
landers, Danes,. &c« who for figure, com*
pledbqn and ftature^ ^re perhaps the hand-
fomeft of all mankind. .^It is the iame witii
the ipecks of dc^s^ the Lapland dogs are
very ugly, and fo fmall that they fcarcely eveir
exceed a foot ia length. Thofe of Siberiaf
though lefs ugly^ ,have ears creStj with a wil4
wi fev^ge looJfiy while in the neighbouring

climates

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3W buffon's

, climates, where w6 find thofe handfome mfti-
juft mentioned, are alfo the largeft and moft
beautiful dogs. The dogs of Tartar/, Al-
bania, the northern parts-of Greece, Denmark
and Ireland, arc the largeft and moft power-
ful, and are made «fe of for drawing carriages.
The Irifh Greyhounds (Jig, 30. J are of very,
ancient race and ftill exift, though in fmall
numbers In their original climate. They were
called by the ancients, dogs of Epirus and
Albanian dogs; Pliny has recorded in tenWs
as energetic as elegant, a-cohibat' of one of
thefe dogs, firft with a lion ani afterwards
with an elephant. Thefe dogs are much
larger than the maftiff*; they are fo rare iA
France that I never faw but one of them, and
he appeared as' he fat to be about five feet high^
and in form refembfed the large Danifh dog';
but exceeded him very much in his fize. He
was quite white, and his manner was perfeftly
gentle and peaceable. In all temperate cli^
mates, as in England, France, . Spain, Ger-
many .and Italy, we find men and dogs of
all kinds^. This variety proceeds partly froraf
the influence of the climate, and partly fronl
the concourfe and intermixture ot foreigners*
On the former we fhall not -enlarge here, but
with i:erpe<a: tQ th^ dogs, wc fliall obferve,

with

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NATURAir HISTORY, 32X

With as much' attention ^$ poffible, the refeni-
blances and differeaces whidh care, foo4 ^nd
xliinate h«ve produced among thefe animals* '
Tl^.e large Dane, (J^. ^u) the Irifli grey-
hound,^ and the common greyhound/^^. 32./
though they appeardiiFerent at the htik tight, are
never thele& the fame dog^ the lar^e Dane is no
fidore thsm aplumplrilh greyhound ; and the coth-^
inon greybpiund.is.only.the Irifli greyhound, ren-
i^red awre thin and delicate by care ; for there b
not more difference hetawecn thefe three, dog*
^an beween a Dutchman, a Frenchman, and
m Italian* . Infuppofing the IriflLgrcybound td
have been a native of France, he would have
produced the Daniih: dog in a ooldcf climate^
ftnd the grtybouiyi in a war pier ; and this
fiippofitifin (Jsems to be^pporedby^the fad: of
the Dmi&L dogs odmingJtq iis^om the ncn-th^
and the greyhound from Conftantinople -and
die • Levant; The fliepl^erd's dog Cfg. ^3.^
tiie wolf dog (fig. 34.^ and the Siberian dog

(fig* 25*) ^^^ ^* ^h® ^*^^ ^gj ^^^ ^^ vi^ich
indeed might be added the Lapland^ the Ca^
sadian, tbe^ Hottentotir and all thofe dogs
,which have crefl: ^rs ^ in fliort they only differ
from the (hjepberd*s dog in their height, ill
being m€»re or lefe covered with hair, and ia*
that being moire <u: le& kmg, coarfe or buihy^

The

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The hound (fig. 36.> the harrier C^g. 37 J tlilr
turnfpit^^. 38./ the water dcg (^fj^. 39 J and
even the fpaniel ([fig. 40.^ may like wife be re-
garded as the feme dog ; the greateft difference
between jhem, being the length of their legSf
and the iize of their ears which, in them all
are long, foft and pendent. Thefe dogs ar^
natives of France i and I do not tiiink we
£bould feplarate them from what is called the
harrier of Bengal (Jig. /^i.) as ir only differt
from our harf ier in its colour. I am fully fatif-
tied that this dog is not originally from Bengal^
pr any other part of India, and that he is not,
as fome have pretended, the Indian dog (poken
of by the-aneientSy which they fay was the pro-
duce of a dog and a tiger, for he has been
known in Italy above 150 years, and ncvei?
confidered as a dog come from India but as a;.
common harrier.

tngland, France,. Germany, &c. appear M
have produced, the hound, the barrier, and
the turnfpit, for thefe dogs almoft immediatel)f
begin to degenerate on being carried into Per 4
fia,. Turkey, and fuch^ warm climates. But
the fpaniels and water • dogs are natives of
Spain and Barbaryj wher^ the- temperature
of the air occafions the hair to be longer and
finer than in any other country. The bull-dog

which*

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NATURAL HISTORY. JJJ

which is improperly called the lltttle D^ne,
fincc he has no refemblance whatever to the
large Dane except in having the hair
fliortithe Turkifla dog and the Iceland dog
(fig* 42. J are but the fame race, which being
tranfported into a very cold climate has taken
a ftrong covering, and in the warmer climates"
of Africa and India has loft its hair. The dog"
yithout hairy known by the name of th6
Turkifh dog [fig, 43.) is improperly called,-
lince it is not in the temperate climates of
Turkey that dogs lofe their hair, but irt
Guinea, and in the hotteft climates of the
Indies that . this change happens ; and the
Turkifh dog is no other than the fmall Dane^
which had been traufported into fome very
warm climate, ajc^d having loft its hair was
afterwards brought into Turkey, where, from
its fingularityj care has been taken toinultiply
tjie breed. The firft i>i them that was ft en
ill Europe, according to Aldrovandus, were
taken in his time into Italy, where they could
not multiply upon account of the climate being
too cold for them. But as he gives not any
defcription of thefe naked dogs, we cannot de-
termine whether they were like thofe which
are iiow called Turkiih dogs, or whether we
ijiould compare them to the finall Dane, fince

dogs

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^4 BvrroN's

dogs of every breed lofe their hair in very
warm climates; and as already obferved,- their
voices aHb. In fome countries they become
4juite mute ; in others they only lofe the power
of barking) and howl like wolves, or yelp
like foxes; and by this ^tjcration they feem to*
approach their naturat.-flsitev'fof they change
alfo in tl>feir /ornri and inftirt9:s>i they become^
ugly and invariably have ihcit ears aflfume an
erefl: and pointed fdrm.

It is only ift temperate climatefe tihat dogs*
preferv^ t\ieir ardour, courage, fagacity, and'
other natur^ t^nts, the ^qtrbole of which they
lofe when • taken Snto veiy v^s^m dimates.
But, as if Nature never made any thing per-
£B<SUy ufelefs^ in thofe countries • where they
cannot Jerve the pur^)ofes for' which we em-
ploy them, they are in great eftimation for*
fiofod, and die Negroes prefer their fleflh to that*
of any other animal. Dogs are* fold in theif
markets at as dear a rate as^ mutton, venifpHi
or g^me of any fort; a roafted dog being the
moft delicious feaflr among the Negroes. If
i« poiEble that their fondnefs for the flefli c/
this animal may be oocafioned by an alteration
in its quality by the heat of their country, and'
that although extremely bad in our temperate"
climates it may receive^ a fupcrior .flavour by*

the

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NATURAL HISTORY. 325

the warmth of theirs. But I rather think this
appetite depends irtore on the nature of man
than on the change in die fleOi of the dog, for
the favages of Canada have the fame partiality
for dogs flefii as* the N^vods ; and even our
miffionarii^ ibmetimes oat of them vt^ithout
difgdJ. «« Dogsj fays Father P. Sabard
Theodat, ferve in the room of mutton at feafts.
I have beea feveral times at thefe dog-feafts,
and I own that at firft they excited in me a
degroe of hcn'ror, but after tafting them twice
I found the Havour to be good, and not unlike
pork."

In our climates the fox and wolf are the
wild animals which approach neareft the dog,
particularly the fhepherd's dog, which I look
upon as the ftock and type of the fpeeies; and
as their inteuial conformation is whdily die
iame, and thmr external differences very trifling,
i had an ii^clination to try whether they would v
breed together: I hoped at leaft to make
them couple, and diat if they did not produce
fertile ifidividiials tfae^ would bring forth a
fpeeies of muli^ which might participate of
the nature of i>o(}u For this purpofe I pro*
cured a £he wolf, of about diree months oldJi
from die woods, and rased her with a (hep«
herd's- dog of nearly the (ame age* They
VOL. V. F f , were

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326 buffon's

were (hut up together in a pretty large yard^

where no other beaft co^ld get accefs, apd

where they were p'royi/ipd w^|i a^flici^ for their

retirement; they^ neithe^ of thpip ^l^^ysr^^^ny

indivi

man'

with'

kept

withe

firfij

feemi

fecoria year they beg^n , to jiM^^r§l,jj^V%feJ&^f

/oo(J, thougVthey ^yere alway^^^jTuppJ^p^ji^i^

mc^e than they could eaf. Thfj , ^ojjf ^fxYfffXi

begaii the diipute. ^. T^^)f .J?^^ W^fo^^ ^J?9F'?

carjrie^ to them, on a wppdeji^trgrip^ijr^^.iyy^ga

the; wolf^; inhe^, W feizipg^.tb^i tj^^t^^^^

dexterti^fly'^b^tvifeep ^rj(eeth.as Jo 4pt flQtljiiJg

^'he ^all of the^^rd.^it^ i^.j^M ^SH.^^HjW}^
<?niy ft<>P,t<? take^ bfe^^ ^^joyx^t^.^pt^^
'^ttapl^ the dog i/^ h^^cai^cpe^. iuT^i;4^ IK^
'ftronger than^^he wojf^^buLa^ he^^^^^
rociqi^s we began to haife iomp fear for hjs,life^
and therefore put him on .a collar/ ,Aftef the
fccond year their quwrels were marpcr, and

theii"

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NATURAL' HISTORY '327

their combats more frequent, when a collar was

a!fo put on the wolf, , whom the dog began t;^

freat more roughly. During ihefe tvyo years

there visas' not the leaft appearance of defire in

either 6( t^i'ehi'; towar Js me'eiid of the third

th^y b^gan' to dlfcover (ome 'marlcs of it, bat

it Veas' without any figiis of love, and inftead

of rendering tliem more gentle when they ap-

proadiededch other, they became ferocious

ami ungoverh^l^; Nothing was .how heard

imt fflfm^'howlirigs mixed with cries of anger j

in tibbat thr^e Wei^ks they both grew very thin,

and" itever .canie near each other without indi-

Catibnis of mutu^ d^ruflion. At length' they

^cw^ fo'etiraged ^d fought fo dreadfully, that

.theffog killed the wolf}, and I was obliged to

have'the dog killed a few days after, becaufc as

jfoon a^'hb was fet at liberty^ he (priing with

fury oil the ptodltry, dogs, and even men.

. At therfame time I had three young foxes,

two m?d€^'and a female, "Svhictl had been taken

whh fnares and kejtt in feparate places.' . 1 had

one of theie fafteiied With a long light chain,

and teid an hut built to flielter him. I kept

him ill this manner feveral months, and though

he feemed penfive ancl had his eyes' conftantly

fixed on the country, which he could fee from

his hut, yet he had conftatitly good health and

F f 2 appetite.

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3^8 - ' 4l>r?^#9 '

but as (he would not remait^'il^-^^fiKt,^^
ivas dboih^njli fik^^«iMe^^^I^e«^'#» ^^7 of

rehiaiiiednu^^fllQ^ <»«i^'W^^'hoi('tl^ iB^Mt
^ianral 'beMt^h ^i^i' fkifiieF^|{^ bFi»)^
nor t9terv4i)iejr>fid K^' b#'<$l^^ ^pf^cKifl li^^

niott, • A«'«ghi^ df defJte Mifij^»Wp ^'f^.
tuttneiln^'bebticA^ hoafirlA i^^l1if%i¥;^ Wl
AoimerOMrfe took plic^/ 'Wfi#i^ llft^ aiiieUr
Of thit bittli iirai gone, aflbfliler^^^^vi^H'i
third and foorthx^refbt toVM^^^"^'!^
maiitief J he l^eat^ttem i^llifitiilMS^fi^ gin*
tfeiieft 4Uid #iib; the ^me^mmiSk^ i'iSS^yt

iheft^orr^draMhe ivas kq^'K|fiFii^^ift^A
hid c«)«il^Kng, I had ^ Urmafe (if Hi^ 'b^h'^i*
cieabrotightt6' hid' Which he cS^tetWl iifo!re

lisrirfcW^iredc^ after^fd^' W6 fotihrfft*''^
iffifpregiiatci*, ati* wenjlif hitYe'^'j^bi^i^f<Mt
yb&hg' cnte*. The ©th* mite ftbf' Wis'!fiicbe&
fiyety prefentted with fir^eraHlHfches'm'lcafen)
VhowfcreflKitup \^th hJm lA a clofe court-
yard, htrt he difcovered neithci:' Hatred^ noJ- Ibvc
tethem^ Ibcjrtad neither combats nor ca^efTes,

and

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and lie die^ ^^^S^WirttKaptte itfl^'^itherof dif-

-^ J^^^ilH* %'>*^ fpQpiesf^f ffti d^Aii^iASilo
P»!!Kflt ^Ur)int^TOixture, a^Jjiaft .tm^gijc dU
xmf^cf ^a^nCQ^feiW^ntly the d9eAdi€B tfectfid^
dY? 'iH^i >9fi»gfft; frflW^ th^ W<ri#|o^ J^,nart* that

n^^fljs np^^IJ^^lpv•€^<teB Wili'dc}gs,,0r,«rhQ

&i??SiK 2fl^ si^ff* ^ ^ j^hre^cio #«»inoniitbc
napi^jf iPggj.Jii^«5deceiv;«l th^ifuftivft^ kftiH

tjfg^ia a;^9qp»8i,awfla^ iv^ic^ i$ il^^itfe-:

tl^^^^.W^w4^ ^ j?gFfcilt,hps,t>eefit

^y^£^^9^Srflf WrWW fffveUfrs, ,T<^y.^e:

apd 4^^ abpfft |>ibifp^^^ lyiouat, Cjftttr/

this aiii^ ,i^ coj9ili[4^i:^..byi ttje pa^fj»s,,^w^Si.
he, is, fow(}^ a^ ^ wijdi <>f)g,^ Y^^m%\ir^^y<'
doubtful., v^ixq^ei:, |)^j;.jr>t9rnjix,) wg^^lialjf tne^t:.
of him ast a^fcparalje. ij^ck^a^^yr^^ xfee^ fij3| i
Ff3 ^ and

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Mim *Wi m^udtJfcm atto4eR:wa*.b«ft

tlf4?lp,,b«fWifcth!P tiger, i^of ft^^fitkiBvay
£Km:i^me.di£^imtifrG|in >«bei4^^^^ 6thi^

If^m dog Hgf^c^ed&i^ftom ;iu)^^ivtid« betA^^iaA*
r&mbUngj^t wolf .9r'i^o<.f«i»j Ji^rsAetwaedar

from a -tigec anda bit^ or irooi 'mjAj^ itsi st
t folely

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iiAifta |Bbti{ile 'ti%ethdn Airtffts* i&e!ri» tod

<ieirvi$;^h)t 'credit i foi*^Hie'^n«ff«'wfe bMfeivcthe
«iftil»'tolFj»nfe«a*i ifce' merer We perceive* that
{toiftifaatioif^ 4Sf iflftiiia i^ ^ d«>itf certaifi
iwajr ltd Jftdge of cheat. By the nwA attentive
mamiiift^ian' of the'imsbrior pikrts We only-clil^
tsDiscii.ifligh^ xBfieireiices. The horfe and .af^
liiM^ tfaey love a m6& ptrfkSt refentUanc^
^n-'tfieiiiitefBahpartSy afe) nevcffthelefe, smiiMts'
ofcverf dififereift hatdrey, Theb^, rant, ahd
fttit; differ Hut Httfe in their internal ^for-
ftmtiol^ i&ougfar they form thl*ee fpeticn mbre
diftaiic^thaifiMdie horfe and the s^ ;'ant] the feme
i*fafvari6» holds? 'With refpeftftd^'tlwetfeg? thte
fo/snd the wc4f.- -Th* ilir|y«a}Dii<bf the ex-
^tentt) ibrnr giv«9 us mdrc iniSghHnt& it* Asr
in' many lpecies> however, efpeciaHy thbfe the
kaft diftant, there is even in the'exsaior much-
more reiemUance than difi^fence, this in(^-
tionis noifaSxikaxto M^fttfdM whether they^

are

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33^ buffon's

are of the (ame or diiFerent fpecles; and wheir
the (hades are dill lefe we can only combine
them with the agreements they have with in-
- AinSt. It is from the difpofitlons of animals
that we ihould judge of their natures ; if we
fuppofe two animals quite the fame in their,
forms, yet different in their difpoiitions, they
would not copulate ncr brefed together, and
however much alike they would therefore be
two diftinft fpecies.

. The fame means to which we are obliged
to have recourfe to judge of the difference of
neighbouring fpecies, are thofe we ought to
employ when we would diftinguiih the nu-
merous varieties which take place in the fame
^cies. We know of thirty varieties in the
dog, and yet it is certain that we are not ac-
quainted with them all. Of thefe thirty there
are feventeen which may be faid to be owing
to the influence of climate, namely, the fhep-
herd's dog, the wolf dog, the Siberian dog,
the Iceland dog, the Lapland dog, the Iriih
greyhound, the common greyhound, the maftiiF>
the great Dane, the hound, the harrier,
the terrier, the fpaniel, the water-dog, the
fmall Dane, the Turkifh dog, and the bulU
dog. The thirteen others, which are the
mongrel Turkiih dog, the greyhound with

hair

dbyGoDgle

3^iidrno3 vlao ii^D aw ?l5l ilift 3i£ ^sbAJifl ;;
-ni fliiw ovxifi yarij ?Jnorr*^'3i^ii aril duw iriv .'
^lEfrH^B ^o Hnobiloqlib arij rnoi) 8^ jI .iiti;
3w \i ^8Diu}£n liarb Ho 9gbjj[ bliiodi aw in,.
ibrfj ni ornLl ariJ simp ekmine ov/j ^'i-Ajf.:
>(5rij fRnojlTHMJlil) iui13 ill ^*^e>^2Tllb 2^^ ,^1x1:1.
hilt. -'.o,;rri.o7 ty^nd i:n '^jr.luvjo:- loa biLo

o.i J^^i-'O :>v ■-...;•: :> ,, . ■^..' piinuorid^:!..-
..LCJ*. zir>: I ■ ''.'.■ ■] ■ ■ • ■ . ,. -^^ .. / iij;tj> •

i~^-- " '' 'V ' ■• ■ .- -* ■■ ' '• / ••■• '-J

^', .\- ti-j. . .n.< J. It -^ ; ,..^ A ,, ^^ •'. /■ !

.^i.-i fill, ^.-^t 1 ij..>' ,. .] .,: . -:^,L L..!.ji ..

, •■•■i.j.>;'v '

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fubiiehed by JJ^Bair. Jtpiijj^j .

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NATURAL HISTORY, 23%

hair like a wolf, the (hock dog, (fig, 44.) or
lap dog," the pug dog> the baftard pug dog, the
Calabria^, Burgos, and Alicant dogs, the lion
dog, (fig. 45,) the fmall water dog, the Artois
dog, and the King Charles*s dog, (fig, 46.)
are nothiog but mongrels which proceed from
idle iirii: feventeea races; and by tracing the&
ihongrels back to the two races from which
they iflue their natures will be eafdy known ;
l>tit with refpe£l to the flrft feventeen races^ if
lire wdt^ld know what relations ^ere is among
litem we muft attend to their inftin^ hna$f
$ai manyr odier drcamftaiKcs^ f have put
together the (bepherd^s dogy the wolf dog5 th9
Siberian, &e Lapland, and the Iceland dk^s,
becaufe there i^ a mcn-e ftriking refemblance
between them dian afiy others, in their Ibrmt
sod coats, and becauie they have all pointed
noTeSy fomewhat like the fooc, erefb ears> and
whofe inftinds lead them to watch and foQdw
' our flocks. The Irifih greyhoim^ the targ<^
pane, and the comittoi^ greyiioitnd, have, be«»
iides^ the reiemblance of form and long fn<^ty
the fame cKfpofitions ; they love to courfe aikl
to follow horfesj they have bift indifferenc
nofes, and bant rather from their fight than
their fcent. The real hunting dogs are the
hounds, harrierS), terriers^ fpanidls, and. water-
dogs

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334 ' buffon's

dogs, and notwithftanding they differ in figure
yet they have all thick muzzles, the fame in-
ftindls, and therefore ought to be clafled to<*
gether j the only difference between the water-
dog and the fpaniel is, that thofe with Ipng
bufhy hair take to the water with more facility
than thofe whofe hair is fhort and ftraight. The
fmall Dane and Turk ifli* dog muft be ranked
together, fince they are in h& the fame ; the
latter having only loft his hair by the effeds of
heat. Laftly, the. bull-dog, (/j'. 47.) feems
to form a particular variety, and even to belong
toaparticular climate ; he isanative of England,
wd it is difHcult to prefer ve the breed .ever in
France. The pug-dog, (yff . 48. ) and mafliiF
(fii* 49- ) are mongrels from him, and they fuc-
ceed much better > they all have (hort muzzles
and but little fcent. The acutenefs of the (cent,
however, feems in general to depend more on
thelargcnefs than the length of the muzzle, for
the greyhound, large Dane, and the Irifh grey-
bound, have their fccnt very inferior to the
hound, harrier, terrier, fpaniel, and water-
dog, although their muzzles are more than pro-
portionally longer.

Thcfe animals have all a greater or lefs per-
foftion of the fenfes, and thefe differences^
which in noan occafioos not any eminent or re-
markable

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(t; ■;>/.,.,! -i'j/y:K- I-

, j: cJLu^yjp^

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\1.

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A.«f«^|Cf4^<>erii^«i

i.J .Cjjvlqnr

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NATURAL HISTORY. 335

markable quality, gives to animals all their
merits and produces as a caufe all their talents
of which their natures are fufceptible. I fliall
not here take upon myfelf to enumerate all the
qualities of the fp.orting dogs, it is well known
how much the excellence of their fenfe offmel-
Kng, together with their education given ^tljem,
the fuperiority over other animals ; but thefe
details belong only to a diftant part of Natural
Hiftory. Beftdes the tricks and dexterity,
though proceeding from nature alone, made ufe
of by wild animals to elude the refearches, or
to avoid the purfuit of the dogs, are perhaps
more wonderful than the moft refined methods,
praAifed in the art. of hunting.

The dog, as well as all animals which pro-
duce more than., one or two at a time, is not
perfe<a:ly formed at the time of its birth.
Dogs are commonly whelped with their eyes
fhut; the two eyelids are not only, clofed
together, but adhere by a membrane which
breaks away as foon as the mufcles of the upper
eye-lid acquires fufficient ftrength to raife itfelf
and overcome this obftacle, which commonly
happens about the tenth or twelfth day. At
this time the bones of the fcuU are not finiflied,
the body and fnout fwelled, and the whole form
incomplete J but in lefs than two months they

learn

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336 tvrros^s

learn to mateufeof all tfaeirfenfes, begin to liave
ftrength, and their growth is very raj^d. In
the fourth month they lore feme of ffaeir teeth^
wluch as 'in other animals, are fi>on replaced
hy others that do not ifall out. They nave in
all 42 teeth, namely fix incitivie, and two canine
at top and at bottom, fourteen grinders in the
upper, and twelve in the under-jaw; butthtefe
latter are not always the fattie, as ibme dogs
have more grinders than others. When very
young, males and females bend down to avoid
their water; about the ninth or tenth month, the
males and feme femdes, begin Coliftnp their legs
for that purpose, and at which time iiUsy begin to
be 'capable of engendering; The male can
couple at all' times, but the females only at
ilated feaibns, which are ufually twice a year,
^nd liiore frequently in winter than in fixmmer;
this inclination lafts ten, twelve, and femetimes
fifteen day% and {hews itfelf by exterior figns ;
the male is apprized of her fituation by his
fmell, although Ihe feldom confents to his ap*
'proaching her for the firft fix or feven days^
Once coupling is fometimes fuiEcient'for her
to produce a great number of young, but if left
atliberty (he will adnnit almoft every dog that
pre&ms himiein It has been obierved, that
when allowed tochoole for hprielf^ (be generally

, prefers

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NATURAL HISTORY, 337

prefers the largeft, mthout attcading cither to
his form or beauty ; and it frequently happens
that fmall bitches who have received large .
itiaftiffs die in bringing forth their yoiing. In
<oupling^, from a iingular confortliation, thefc
animals cannot feparate after confummationy
but are obliged to remain united as long as the
fwellingfdbfifts. The dog, llke^ fcveral other
^mals, has not only a bone in its member, but
alfo an hollow ring, which- is very apparent,
and fwells* confiderably during the time of
Population. The females have poffibly the largeffc
clitoris of any ahioial, and while x:ompreffed
^ fwelling arifes which perhaps lafts longer than
that of the male, and forces l»m to remain.; for
when the z£t is &liihed he changes his pofition,
to reft on his four legs s he has atfo a meian*
cholyair, and the efforts for fcparation are never
made on the female fide. Bitches go nine
weeks with young,, that is 63 days, 'but never
Ifefs than 6o* Thofe of the largeft an<f
ftrongeft make are the moft prolific, and thofe
will fometimes produce ten or twelve puppies
at a litter ; while thofe of a fmall kind do not
bring forth more than four or five, and fre-
quently but one or two; efpecially the firfif
time, which is always the leaft numerous in
dl animals^
VOL. v, • G g Though

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338 . buffon'«

Though dogs are very ardent in their amoar^
it docs not prevent their duration, for they con-
tinue to propagate during life, whidi is ufualljr
limitted to fourteen or fifteen yearsj- though
fome have been knov^n to live rill twenty.
Length of- life in dogs is> like that cf other
animals, proportioned to the time of his
growth : for as they are ahout. two-years in
coming to maturity, fo they lire to twice feven.
The dog'is age may be known by hTs te6th,
wjilch, when Jie is young, are mhite^ Ih'arp, and
ppinted, and which, in proportion as he advances
inagci become black, blunt, and Unequal; it
is aifo to be known by the hair, for' it turns
grey about the nofe, forehpad, and round the.
eyes. Thefe animals, though naturally vigt-
lantj adivqv ^ formed for exerci% by being
over fed in our houfes become fo heavy arid idle
that th€;y p^s their lives in fleeping and eating.
This fl6ep, v^ich is almoft' continuafl, is ac-
companied I^ ^r<;ams^ vrfiich js perhaps a ttnU
manner* of exifting; and notwithftandihg they
are naturally voracious, yet they can fubfift
without eating a confiderable time. In the
Memoirs of the Academy of Sciences,, there
is an account of a bitch, who having bo?n ac-
cidental]/ left in a country-houie> fiibfii^ 40
days ^tithoiut'^any bthei^ nduriihmcnt'tiw the
'\ ■" '' fluff

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NATUkAl HISTORY. 339

ftufF on the wool of a matrafs, which (he had
torn to]ipieces. Water feems to be more nc-
ceflary.for thsm-than food, for they drink fre-
quently, and very abundandy 5 and it is even
a vulgar opinioii that if tjiey want water for a
lengt^i of time they become mad. It is a
circumftance peculiar to them that they feerrt
to make great efforts, and fulrer pain in voiding
their excremefnts. This rs not occafioned, as
AriftotJe allcdges^ from their, inteftines be-
coming narrower in approaching the amis ;
foTj on the contrary, it is certain^ that in the
dog, as- in other animals, the great inteftines
grow bigger as they proceed downwards, and
that the re<Sum is larger than the colon: the
drynefs of tb^ temperament of this animal is
fujfScient of itfelf to produce this effefl:.

To give a clear idea of the difEjrent kiiyis
of dogs, of their degeneration in .different cli-
mates, and of the mixture of their breed, I
fubjoin a kind ofgen^jogical tree^ in which
all the diflferent' varieties may eafily be dif-
tinguifljed. ^ITie Ihtpberd*^ dog is the ftock
or body of the tree.. This dogj, when tranf-
ported into the rigoFous climates of the north,-
fuch 51$^ to Lapland, b^-bccomes ugly and 'fmall,
but in Riiffia, Iceland, and Siberia, where the
climate is rather lefs rigorousj and the people
G g 2 more

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J40 buffon's

more civilized, he is not only preferved btit
even brought to greater per^(S:idtiu*ftl1iefe
changes are occafioned by the itifiilS^' of
thofe cKmates, Which produce iio ^ikt'^ti^i-a-
tion in his form, for in each of tli^ie ^li^aites
this dog has ereft ears> long anrf^^'thick* hair^
and a wild look j he tarks alfo lels 'frequently>
and in a difFerent manner^ thdn* in more fa-
vourable regions^ where he lis brought to
greater perfedlion. The ' Iceland dog 'is the
only one that has not his eari'fentirejy'ereft,
but which beiid or fold^ a little at theiir 'ix^
treniities ; aiid Iceland is, of; all the noi'thern
countries, diat which has been moft anciently
inhabited by hdf civilized men.

The feme fhepherd's do^, trarifported &Ca
temperate climates, and among people pcr-
fe<5Hy civilia&ed, as thofe of England, Fr^ce,
or Germany, lofe their favage air, cre£l eafs>
their long, thick, and rougli hair, a^ take th^
form of the hound, bull-dog, and^riih grey-
houndr Gf the two latter the ^rs are iftiU
partly ere£l:, or only half pendent; s^nd in their
manners and finguinary difpoiStions very much
f^femble the dog from which they drew their
origin. The hound is the moft diftant oT the
three, his ears are long and pandeht, and the
gentleneis,. dccility and» we may %, the

timidity

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NATOITAL HISTORY. » 341

tfeidity of this dog, are fo many proofs of the
great degcneratl^n^or, inore properly, the great
perfeiftion he has ac^iripd by a long ftate of
doipefiicity,..an^ a careful . education bcftowed
onhimiby^an^,.

• Th«:hQund>,,the harrier, aad the terrier, are
only,Qa9 jace^ ioi it has been remarked that iill
the.fa;ne Uttpr thepe have, been harriers, terriers,
and hound% thpugb the female hound had beeil,
only 4JOY^jred,by.,()ine of the three dogs* I
h^c.?Quple4,.th5i Bengal ^larrier with a com-
nion barrier, becaufe thpy differ; only by, the
number of,fpot6„upon jtheir coats. I have alfo,
CQyjj)led tl^e turnipit, .qr terrier with crogJked.,
legs, with the commoq terrier, ))ecau(e;tl>erde-,.
fe<3;^ ^ihe.legs.of this^dogptilj^vpriiv;^^^
a difeafe foqi^what Jike the rick;etf ^ - witby;Whic|l ,
fome injdividuafs hav-^ bpen^attackcdi ^nd triff-.
mitted <the effefls to their defcetidaqt^. - j 1 /

.Th(^ Jipijnd, if' trWpc^te^ iit^o Spai^. an4
Barbaryji w^^^, all,,^ifna|fs have, the hair, finej .
lopg,"and thick, .wp\4d becopi^ thet fpani^ apciL ^
water-dog. The gre^t ^4 fofi^l fpaniel, which,
diflFcr. only in fize, when brought | into, , !j^ng-j„
land change their cojour from >yhite;to Jjl^,.
and, by the^ influence pf the climate^ Aave,bQ?^.
come the largje and. (mall |Cing'^ Cjiarles's dog^
and the .beagle^ which i?,' in fa^\tbc fam^eas the .
Gg 3' others.

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^ers, but widi linfr-^^nlqoaeiluiQirks o^
four feet^o^er the eys8)afid4>ii^dttiinfiu: . .

Tb& Irifli gTBtfhoxptd^ fiiut^rtBd!>tjil ?tfac
north, is beooma the large Oanc^iandJltt tlnr
foutb chsmges into a comHiofi grejdioiiift^t.Tfai
large gr^yhoinds €ORie:lrotnlkBL]Le;«my''.tfaofer
of a mtddlkig fize Cifom itail;iv'-m4itii£ Jaittty
being taken into £iig}anA hafet^bdsocm fliil
finaller. :Tbe iti^ Datney tttefportiui'nt^^
Ireland^^the Ukraine Tarta»)s>£pbws,:.dnS
Albania, have become die hi^ I#ifli^4»g4
which in fixe (wrpsA ali th« .reft ^dfr;thi^iQ)^Mu
The bull.dog, tranfpoFted' fionfr Erijgttod iiH^
Denmarky Is become the final! Sane, >ai{il tb|i
fmall Dane taken inco t^mfdimaiet ^faangibd'
into the Turkiih dog. All thefe racesy vAix-
their varietits, bave beea produced ibld^. by
the infliieiicG o( clknate, Jdned toidis effiifia-
of food and education } tbq other dogs-jate:'iiot
pure r4QQ8^bi|t proceed fr^m a^ouiitiiiw oFidiofe
abbvc* . ■ ; .,.-... • • ■ . . ;

Xbe r^greyhoond sai fli^pheid^ deg iiave
producod. the mbngrd greyhound,. v4iieh is^
called the gi«j(houiid with the wotf's cloathkig*^
The xtofe'Of this mongrel H tiot to diin as^
that of the Turkiibh gteyhottmK which is very
rare in Francci. The lar^e'Dane and the hrgp-
fpamel have produced tbt d^ .o£< Calabna,.

which

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NATCfRAt mSTOkV. ifj

wKch is St'httndfiwi«R Jog, -with long tfcitk haSv
and highieraa 'ftrtute ^» Ac . laqgeft; tnaffiffi
The ^aifid aqd Jlflrri^'proctectB vAat: is-Called
die Butgun^i^fAradt;^ ana feom. thtf fpdrrid
aikl^rinaUi J3d^e*^>^afocx»BSK'dsr'lbn dog^ vvlndi
fs.Jibw,Tti^fcante.'noTh)rA3gs';OT fine

euried Mrt^^whiQ& are'eaiied the Botifib dogs^,
and whit^'i aco l>igga> : tlma the waterlogs,,
come^jfcw dte yatSBrido^-and large ^ahkL
Tbe.:]Wi^ :wa|«t&)4 eomcs from thc.fmaB
fym^i:^ d»e ^tet*-dogi. Thf bull-dog tod
riia.JUiiftilgiieyhtmad pRQduce a mongrel xaHed.
tbf.i|iaftiffi Ivlwh iji larger ; than the. bidl-Jogy
y0t ikppro^i^h^ 'him m<?re. tha» the Qifacr;:.ahd
ibq^p^ comes fromJhe IwiU-dog and (He Xbali

' J>anO.-r ^ - - •.;. . .•■'':•. i •^;^ •-:

M jdiefe.race$ »® fimple uKAigi^s, ^a)M
coiiie &tm the/mlxtuiie of two pare i^G€s;s

. but 'dicre -^e other dogs which^ may be called
dcrtible iijiongoels, becaufe the/' pfioceed from a
pure race and one already mixed. The baft^d
pug .is: a -doxAlQ mongrel,. and: comes £^m a

.'mtK^uzie of die pt^ -with the £aiall} Dane.. ^ The

. Alicant ddg 19 alfo ^ doui)4e moagrel J; be pro- ,
.ceed^ from the pug and the fiiiall fp^ioL. The
Malteie,.or.la{Hlog) is a doublar mongtiely and
cotn^^from .^ fn^^l fpanlel afidiitfle water-

, dogi- An\ finr, th« aiaB\da^; M^nch may be •

called

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3^ j»ffon'5* •

called trq>Ie inongrd%,b^i|fe..(hrey piioce^J
from the mbrture. o| fMjp,r:^c^.)¥^h have
already been - mixed jj^ as tl\e 4^^9i^jfjp^.^;ind
what is calle4 the j^r^rt ^«^^^^^\d^^i?^ i:efe»W^
all dogs in general, .buti.ijp^;^f^^p^f^<;wl}^^
fmcethejr procee^ fro^n^ races ^^ji:i^,^Y^^-
veral times been mixed. ,. ,,^ . ^^ -^. y ^rir-

THE following curious fail I^^hadi/rjQjOg. •
M. de Maillyj <^^thc Acadpiny^.of .I^yQi^,; •
*<The curate of NpjTges^. near I)i^9/i^..liAS a.
bitch which has \iad , all ..thjj fegptpo^f of '■
pre^nanc^j^ and having. puppies, without^ haviiig^.
been in either ftate. She was-^roudj^ but ¥^.
not fufFered to go with a dogi^ jet at th^ .en4
of the ufual term her paps were filled with •
milk, and fhe brought upjome yoi^ig pijpple^ >
that were taken to her% with as much care and .
tendernefs as if they had really bee^i hej ownj
and what is more lingular, this l^c bitch^ ,
about three years fince, fuclded two yojung;
kittensi one of which has imbibed 'fo much of
the iwture of heriiurfe that hfex cries iplinltely ,

more

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NATURAL HISTORY. 345-

more refemble the tones of a dog than thpfe of
a cat,** This is certainly a rare phenomenon,
and was this produSion of milk without im-*
pregnation more freqaent,it would render female
am'mals more analogous to female birds whopro**
dute eggs' without connexion with the male.

The Ruflians have brought feveral dogs to
Paris, as Siberians^ a verjr different race front
tiiofc wftteh weliare defcriBed ; one in parti-
cular, both male and female, were about the .
iize of a common greyhound^ with pointed
nofes, ears half erig3^.ju»l;iong t^iU; diey
were entirely black, excepting a fpot of .white
which the fefhale had upon the top of .tjie head^
and one which the male had ujpon his tail i
thdy Mrerc v^ry fond, but exceedingly dirty and
voracious, and it was aliiioft impoffible to fa-
tisfy them with food 5 upon the whole, they
ivere evidently' of the lame race as we have
treated of under the dienominatlon of Iceland
dogs; . ;

Mr, Colinfon, wjio had made various re-«
fearches concerning the Siberian dogs, inform-^
ed nie thjit their. riofes. were pointed, and their
ears long, tbi^ fome of them carried their tails
like the wolf, odiers in the fame manner as the
fox, and that they certainly engendered with
hoilti tiiofe animals s that he liad himfelf feen

dogs

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34^ BUFFON^S

dogs and wolves couple iii England, and zV^
though he knew oP no one ^ho could fay the
(kme with regard to dbgs and foxes, from the
kind wiell khown Aef e by the name of the fox-
dogs, he did not think there eooM be any doubt
of the fsift*

The Greenland ddgs are moftly white^
Aough fotne fwv are blacky and have very thfclc
eoate J they eHtpk>y them for drawing their
fledges, by putt?ng four or fix of tfieni together.;/
theyalfo eat their flcffi; and toake clothes of
their (kins*- The Kamtfoatka^dgs are alfo either
black or* lyhke, -and are tifed for dfavvirig
Hedges-; they a?e-fuffcred to run at large during
the fummer, and tn winter they are fed with a
fort bf pafte' made w5* fifli. '"Thefe dogs oF
Gre^iiand »nd Kam^fchatka,- as well as the
Ruffian dogs juft mentroned, have ^ ftrong re--
ieciiblands <?» At I^etand dogs, and are mbft
probaWy of thef fame rate.- ^ ' • ^ '

Notwithftandfng the varieties Thave defcrib^
ed^ there .arer'fti)! .dthers' remaiiirhg, which I
hav3C hot been able to procdre ; I hav6 myfelf
feen two indhridiials df a Wild* race, but could
not get a fuffictent opportunity even t« defcribe
them. M. Aubry, curate, of St. Louis, infornl-^
ed. us that a few years fince be (aw a dog about .
the.iiaK of a ^aniel, wkh long hair and a very

larg^.

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NATURAL HISTORY 347

large beard on his chin. Louis XIV. had

ifome of thcfe dogs ient to him by M. le Comte de
Touloufe 'y and Comte de Laflai had feme of
die fame breed, but there is not any of them

to be found at preffnt

I have little to add with refpe£): to tlie wild

^ogs, of which there are different races, to
what is contained in my original work ; and
the following, acgount of the wild dog found
>near the Cape .of Gopd Hope, I had from
M. ie Vicomte de Querhoent; he lays, there
arc a great number of packs of wild dogs at
the Cape i their (kins are fpotted with various
colours, and fome of xhem are very larger
their ears are ere<5t, nin extremely faft, and
have no conftant place .of abode. They kill the
lieer in great numbers, are feldom deftroyed
themfelves, and are .very di^ult to be caught
in fnares, from carefully avoiding every thing
that has been touched by man. Several of their
young have bttui taken in the woo4s) and fome
of thofe it has been ^tf mpted tx> render domef-
tic, but they grow up fo large and fo ferocious
that the attempt has been given up as in vain.

END Of" THE FIFTH FOLJJMEJ

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